We are going to look at tea farming in Kenya, factors influencing tea growing in Kenya and areas where tea is grown in Kenya.
Tea is grown on both small scale and large scale in Kenya. It is mainly grown by small scale farmers in Kenya. Tea is the leading cash crop grown in Kenya meaning it earns the country a lot of foreign exchange. It is a crop that requires a lot of labour during the harvesting time.
Tea growing factors
In order for tea to survive, it requires particular factors. It requires high altitude meaning it is mainly grown in Kenyan highlands. Tea is a crop that requires cool climate with temperatures of about 20 degrees celsius.
Tea requires well drained volcanic soils which are slightly acidic. Finally tea requires a lot of labour especially during harvesting time.
Growing areas
These areas are divided into two; areas where tea is grown in large scale for example, Kericho, Murang‘a, Meru, Sotik, and Bomet.
We also have areas where tea is grown in small scale for example, Vihiga, Nyeri, Maragua and Gucha.
Importance of tea
Tea is a commercial crop grown for its advantages to us as human beings and also to our economy as a country. It is a source of employment.
Tea earns the country foreign exchange through exports. Tea has also led to development of infrastructure especially in places where tea is grown we have well built roads to enable transportation.
