Embattled Kiru Tea Factory is embarking on the production of orthodox tea as diversification , even as KTDA warns a possible fallout between the agency and the factory.
According to tea packagers, orthodox tea is the loose tea, which is produced using the traditional method of tea production.
This involves plucking, weathering, rolling, oxidation and drying. Orthodox tea have a great aroma that is easily identifiable.
For the longest time, the factory has been producing only a few grades of tea such as CTC and PF1 which are losing popularity due to stiff competition.
During the production process, the orthodox tea does not undergo cutting, tearing , curling and fermentation like other brand but is only rolled and pounded thus maintaining a characteristic aroma.
For a kilogram of processed tea, the orthodox tea fetches Ksh50 higher than the other brands. Due to its simple processing method, the grade also fetches a higher price because it doesn’t lose much weight upon processing.
According to the managing agent Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the move is aimed at increasing the volume of quality tea made and incomes for tea farmers by offering a wider variety of teas to the market. Other factories that are producing orthodox tea include Imenti factory,Itumbi,Kangaita,Thumaita and Michimikuru tea factories.
At the same time, KTDA has threatened to distance itself from the management of the Kiru Tea Factory may the factory be unable to solve its leadership wrangles.
The management contract between the factory and KTDA started in 2009 and expires in less than three months. Given the recent wrangles in the factory, chances of contract renewal are minimal.
If the contract won’t be renewed, over 8000 small scale tea farmers will have a hard time sourcing for a firm to manage their factory. The factory is in a leadership crisis where the farmers have lacked faith over the directors.