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THE ORGIN OF TEA IN KENYA
The first Kenyan teas were planted in 1903 from tea seedlings originating in India. It is currently one of the major tea producing countries of the world with production exceeding 240,000 tonnes a year. Tea production is split between smallholders and large estates. The large plantations are organized under the Kenya Tea Growers Association and account for about 40% of the Kenyan tea production. Because of its equatorial location, Kenya can produce tea year round with minimal seasonal variations in the quality of the tea. Tea is picked every 17 days and the best Kenyan tea is picked in February and March. Tea is grown at elevations between 5000 and 7000 feet. The tea estates are situated near the equator westwards from Mount Kenya.The best teas are grown in the Regati region of eastern Kenya. The older estates of Nandi and Kericho, however, are situated in the Great Rift Valley in western Kenya. Kenyan tea is mostly black tea used primarily for blending. Most Kenyan tea is processed by the CTC (Cut, Tear, and Curl) method and comes in three main grades – Broken Pekoe, Pekoe Fannings, and Pekoe Dusts. Most Kenyan tea is used for tea bags, with a small proportion available as loose leaf tea. It has a strong flavor and reddish color.
Tea Growing in Kenya
The tea growing regions in Kenya are endowed with the ideal climate for tea. Tropical, volcanic red soils and well distributed rainfall ranging between 1200mm to 1400mm per annum that alternates with long sunny days; which attribute to these favorable conditions. Production goes on all round the year with two main peak seasons of high crop between March and June and October and December which coincide with the rain seasons. Kenya tea is grown free of agrochemicals because the ideal environment in which the tea is grown acts as a natural deterrent to pests infestation and diseases attack; This natural conditions guarantees the consumer the safest and most refreshing health drink.
Tea Growing Regions
The main tea growing areas in Kenya are situated in and around the highland areas on both sides of the Great Rift Valley; and astride the Equator within altitudes of between 1500 metres and 2700 metres above the sea level. These regions include the areas around Mt. Kenya, the Aberdares, and the Nyambene hills in the Central Kenya and the Mau escarpment , Kericho Highlands, Nandi and Kisii Highlands and the the Cherangani Hills.
Planting Materials
Clonal planting materials are developed through scientific innovations by the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK) which have made vegetative propagation possible resulting in high yielding well adapted varieties. The selection of planting materials is enhanced by mapping the genetic and environmental conditions; where genotype – environment interaction trials are carried out as useful selection criteria for determining clonal genetic potential and adaptation so as to match the clones to specific areas where productivity can be maximized. The developed clones are subjected to environmental response tests are various representative sites. So far the TRFK has developed about 50 varieties.
Plucking, Manufacturing and Quality
Kenya’s distinct and high quality teas are made from the upper two leaves and a bud. The young shoots are plucked in regular cycles ranging from seven to fourteen days. Kenya teas are mainly manufactured using the Cut, Tear and Curl (CTC) method to ensure maximum cuppage per unit weight. Kenya prides itself as the producer of the best black tea in the world due to the good agronomical and manufacturing practices and the ideal tea growing conditions. Kenya tea liquors range between good medium to very fine qualities, attributes that make Kenya tea the most sought after beverage in the world.
Nursery and Field management
Objective of nursery establishment
A tea nursery is established so that the young plants can be raised under controlled conditions of light, water, temperatures and pests, diseases and weeds control.
Site selection
A good tea nursery should be strategically located in order to provide maximum ease in management and good establishment of the plants. The following basic requirements should be observed when raising a tea nursery;-The nursery site should be near a suitable and adequate water source, Site sheltered from prevailing wind, The nursery site should be close to sources of suitable soil for pot filling, On sloppy areas, the site should face the sun, valleys and areas prone to frost should be avoided. The area should also be accessible at all times and should be secure.
Nursery soils and fertilizers
Ideal nursery soils should have a pH of 5.0-5.8 (optimal Ph 5.6), where the soils should be free draining and friable, free from murram, stones, dead woods and roots.
Fertilizer use, type and application rates should be as per tea grower’s handbook or an approved producer manual.
Nursery construction and management
Tea nursery management practices should comply with the recommendations in the Tea Growers’ Handbook or an approved producer manual. Materials used should be from a sustainable source while complying with the legislation on protection of plant species.
Material chosen when establishing a nursery should be suitable for the particular agro-ecological zone. The young seedlings are ready for transplanting after 8 months. The seedlings should be hardened off prior to transplanting when they are about 20cm, by reducing the frequency of watering and fertilizing and gradual exposure of the seedlings by removal of the shade. Complete exposure should be for two months before transplanting.
A tea nursery is established so that the young plants can be raised under controlled conditions of light, water, temperatures and pests, diseases and weeds control.
Site selection
A good tea nursery should be strategically located in order to provide maximum ease in management and good establishment of the plants. The following basic requirements should be observed when raising a tea nursery;-The nursery site should be near a suitable and adequate water source, Site sheltered from prevailing wind, The nursery site should be close to sources of suitable soil for pot filling, On sloppy areas, the site should face the sun, valleys and areas prone to frost should be avoided. The area should also be accessible at all times and should be secure.
Nursery soils and fertilizers
Ideal nursery soils should have a pH of 5.0-5.8 (optimal Ph 5.6), where the soils should be free draining and friable, free from murram, stones, dead woods and roots.
Fertilizer use, type and application rates should be as per tea grower’s handbook or an approved producer manual.
Nursery construction and management
Tea nursery management practices should comply with the recommendations in the Tea Growers’ Handbook or an approved producer manual. Materials used should be from a sustainable source while complying with the legislation on protection of plant species.
Material chosen when establishing a nursery should be suitable for the particular agro-ecological zone. The young seedlings are ready for transplanting after 8 months. The seedlings should be hardened off prior to transplanting when they are about 20cm, by reducing the frequency of watering and fertilizing and gradual exposure of the seedlings by removal of the shade. Complete exposure should be for two months before transplanting.