Barchok roots for farmers to sell tea to global markets

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok is rooting for direct sale of tea by farmers to foreign markets, saying it will earn them better returns.

 Barchok said his administration is committed to securing reliable markets for their produce in the outside countries including Iran. 

He said efforts to allow direct sales have paid off and opened avenues to several countries, including Iran. 

"I want to assure our farmers that we have ready markets for tea out there in places like Iran and that is what we have been fighting for all along," Barchok said.

 The governor spoke during a meeting at Mogogosiek in Konoin subcounty.

 He said some farmers are already selling their tea directly to markets abroad.

  “I want to assure the farmers that international markets such as Iran are already available. Let no one convince you that we do not have a market," Barchok said.

 The governor said Bomet county exported 13 million kilogrammes of tea to Iran last year. 

The governor attributed the market breakthroughs to the county's sustained legal and political pressure against section 32(4) Tea Act 2020. 

Bomet government previously filed a petition requesting that certain sections of the Act be declared unconstitutional. 

The legal challenge specifically targeted provisions that banned direct sales and were deemed vague or restrictive to farmers' economic freedom.

 Barchok said the county successfully pushed for changes in tea sector regulations, achieving the goal of allowing factories to engage in direct sales, which he termed a significant step toward maximising farmer benefits. 

He said his administration, together with other partners, will continue working tirelessly to ensure tea that has stagnated at the Mombasa store houses will soon be exported for farmers to receive timely payments. 

“My administration will work with other stakeholders in finding the best solution for our tea that has overstayed in our store houses in Mombasa,” he said.