KTDA introduces anti-tampering technology on tea scales to enhance transparency
Tea leaves in a shamba. Courtesy photo
In a move aimed at promoting fairness and transparency, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has successfully equipped green leaf weighing scales in its 71 managed factories with anti-tampering technology.
This initiative addresses long-standing concerns raised by smallholder tea farmers about discrepancies in weight measurements, ensuring accurate and fair compensation.
The new technology benefits over 700,000 smallholder tea farmers who supply green leaf to KTDA factories.
The anti-tampering devices are designed to prevent unauthorized interference with the scales, which can lead to inaccurate weight records and affect farmers' payments.
KTDA’s weighing scales are now fitted with advanced devices embedded with GSM cards that send real-time alerts to factory managers if tampering is detected.
This system allows for swift action, safeguarding the integrity of the weighing process.
In a statement, KTDA emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “The introduction of the anti-tampering technology responds to farmers’ concerns over tampered scales. We recognise how crucial it is to ensure transparency and fairness in the green leaf weighing process, as any inaccuracies directly affect farmers' earnings."
"These gadgets give farmers peace of mind, ensuring they are compensated fairly for their hard work," said Collins Bett, Managing Director of KTDA Management Services.
Beyond the introduction of anti-tampering devices, KTDA has embraced various technological innovations to enhance operational efficiency.
These include digitised payment systems, modernized factory processes, and an app and USSD service that provide farmers with real-time information on their green leaf weight, payments, and updates in the tea sector.
Fertiliser subsidy update
In other news, the government has instructed KTDA to adjust its proposed fertilizer prices for tea farmers to align with the ongoing subsidy programme.
KTDA had announced a price of Sh3,400 (US$26.33) for a 50kg bag of fertilizer, which contradicted the government’s subsidized rate of Sh2,500 (US$19.36).
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh reassured farmers of the government’s commitment to reducing fertiliser costs.
He directed KTDA to comply with the government's price, confirming that Sh2 billion (US$15.5 million) would be released for the 2024/2025 financial year to support the subsidy initiative, supplementing the Sh1.4 billion (US$10.8 million) allocated in July 2023.
This year, KTDA has procured 97,000 metric tonnes of NKP 26:5:5 fertiliser, an increase from last year’s order of 93,000 metric tonnes, further demonstrating the agency's efforts to support tea farmers.
