MODERNIZATION IN THE TEA SECTOR

The modernization tea sector needs:

Markets are changing because entrepreneurial trends have evolved as societal, technological, and economic landscapes have changed.Although Kenya is one of the world's largest tea producers, it does not fetch higher values than in other countries. Modernization could change the fortunes of the country, and here is why. This new world demands data to devise new strategies, develop new products or respond to customer demands.

We cannot continue to do things as in the past. Many new tea-producing competitor countries have modernized their production, processing and product offerings from the crop. They are calling it ‘From Farm to Cup.’ The new producers, especially new entrants in East Africa, have created an incredibly competitive product. In contrast, we remain with outdated production techniques. The higher quality of these new producers is primarily due to using better and more efficient processing techniques rooted in innovative technology. As a result, they are fetching better prices than the Kenyan tea. Large tea producers in Kenya have been constrained by union-related challenges, potentially leading to business closures, given that some large producers are exiting the country. This could worsen the unemployment crisis in the country. However, production mechanization and the use of modern technologies can improve productivity and result in economic growth.

The mechanization of tea picking does not necessarily result in the unemployment of tea pickers. Instead, it increases opportunities and job creation. This is because it can boost production and generate new employment. Remarkably, if the increased output is diversified into new industries such as cosmetics or canned tea, that can make our tea farmers depart from the age-old practice of selling loose-leaf tea. It also optimizes the various stages of tea cultivation and processing, resulting in cost-effectiveness, and yield while preserving or enhancing tea quality.

These innovations encompass several critical aspects of the tea industry, including mechanized harvesting to reduce labour costs and maintain quality, pruning machines for healthier bushes, consistent yields, and controlled withering. Drying technology is suitable for high-quality tea. This includes automated sorting and grading for product consistency, packaging machinery for efficiency, quality control technology, oxidation control for flavour profiles, and automation of entire tea factories. #ElaborateTea #BelleAnkaInternational