President William Ruto has revealed how his trip to the Netherlands led to the establishment of Lipton Tea Innovation and Technology Academy which will be situated in Kabianga University.
Lipton Teas and Infusions Company which is the leading tea exported globally will establish the academy to train Kenyan farmers in improved farming techniques, enhancing the quality and yield of tea.
Speaking during the launch of the academy, Ruto recalled how he met with the leadership of Lipton to discuss the establishment of the academy and strategies to improve tea production in Kenya.
“I recall that only last year, I held a discussion with Lipton’s Cooperate leadership in the Hague about the possibility of local value addition for Kenyan tea. I am grateful that the engagement we had ten months ago today has fruits. We can measure the outcome of that conversation,’ said Ruto.
He said the National Assembly passed legislation through the Finance Bill to remove taxes on packaging materials on Kenyan tea especially tea.
This, the president explained, will increase the value addition mechanisms for the local tea.
“We agreed on things we both needed to do, we have done our bit, and I am very happy today they are doing theirs. That is the mark of true friendship. That today you are committing close to Ksh500,000 for the set-up of this academy in Kenya to support our tea industry,” he stated.
Ruto Answers Those Opposed to his foreign trips
Ruto also said the establishment is an answer to politicians who have been questioning the importance of his foreign trips.
“There are people who thought I came to Netherlands as a tourist but now they know I spent very good quality time and today we have a Ksh500 million academy that will support our entire tea industry. For the first time we will have Kenyan origin on the labels of tea in the world,’ said Ruto.
He said the government will enhance both productivity and quality by adopting new technology to actualize the full potential of tea.
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The president explained that the academy will train equip the youth employed in the tea industry with knowledge on optimal tea husbandry practices and value-addition.
“I therefore appreciate and commend the parentship between Lipton Tea and Infusion and various other entries to establish this academy as an exemplary initiative with highly transformative,” said Ruto.
English Breakfast Tea
Besides, he revealed that the English Breakfast tea served in most European nations has always been Kenyan tea labeled differently.
“I am very proud that today in supermarkets across Europe for the first time you will have a label that says this tea is from Kenya. We want to thank Lipton for making it a reality,’ he said.
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How Kenyans Lowered Tea Prices
He said the academy will ensure Kenya has skilled labour, extension service and farmers are trained to produce tea that can be sold at premium prices.
“For a very long time we concentrated on producing more tea. In the process we undermined our own business because we created too much supply and the prices went down,’ said the President.
“It is time for us to tell our farmers what kind of tea will give them the best price using scientific imperial evidence. That is why this academy becomes very important,’ he added.
Why Lipton Settled for Kabianga University
Ruto said the academy will work with all TVETs in all tea growing areas adding that it will be a global academy on tea,
He also mentioned that the Lipton chose Kabianga because 80 percent of their own estates are in that region. But we have agreed with them that academy will be a global academy on tea.
