Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe has assured tea farmers in the country that they will no longer pay various levies to county and national government starting from 1st of July.
He showed confidence that the government was committed to supporting the sector which was one of the leading foreigner exchange earner.
Lesiyampe spoke Monday after attending the first African Tea Science Symposium in Enashipai Resort in Naivasha.
He said part of the task force recommendations involved addressing the issue of various taxes and levies levelled against farmers.
“From the 1st of July various cess and levies levelled against tea farmers will be waved as we seek to address the cost of production and increase acreage under tea farming,” he said.
Lesiyampe noted that tea was the leading export earner for the country adding that in 2015 the country earned Sh215 billion the highest ever exports earnings.
“Kenya is the third leading producer of tea accounting for eleven percent of the global production and the sector employs 5m people,” he said.
The PS noted that the sector faced various challenges and pointed out to climate change as one of the leading.
He noted that the unpredictable weather patterns had affected tea production adding that they were working with various stakeholders to address the effects of climate change.
“Other challenges facing the sector include high cost of production, low levels of value addition and fluctuating market prices,” he said.
Lesiyampe at the same time expressed his concern over the low consumption of tea in the country noting that only five percent of the product was consumed locally.