Reports that Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) farmers raked in a record gross payment of Sh85 billion are welcome.
The good tidings also call into question attempts to take over the agency that runs the country’s tea sector.
Kenya’s tea earnings rose by 9.4 per cent compared to last season’s Sh78.31 billion. A kilogramme of green leaf fetched an average of Sh52,51 in the last season.
The recent record earnings defied the fall in global market prices and marked the third year of improved earnings.
The top earnings are clear proof that calls for the government to take over the agency seem unwarranted.
The phrase “If it aint broke don’t fix it’’ is quite apt here.
Instead of striving to take over merely to take charge why not just reform what is necessary in the sector including tea packaging and processing taxes to add value.
Imagine a scenario where the government takes over and comes with its red tape, which will ultimately stifle growth in the sector. The last thing the sector needs is a lethargic bureaucracy that will no doubt hurt the farmers instead of helping them.
Concerns raised by tea factories should be addressed urgently. They should be treated fairly as they play a critical role in the agriculture sector.
What our tea farmers need the most now are positive ideas that will help them earn more from their crop.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
