Tea farmers in Nyamira County have expressed their joy following the onset of rain, which they say will help improve tea production.
Japheth M, a tea farmer and a teacher from Keera location, is elated after harvesting more than 2,000 kgs of tea on his 2-acre tea plantation.
According to him, the last months of 2015 yielded poorly due to the unprecedented hot and sunny weather that reduced tea budding growth.
"April has been a good month for us. On my case, I have so far harvested more than 2,000 kgs of tea contrary to the previous months. I believe this year we will benefit much out of this cash crop,” he said.
Samwel Omoyo, Gianchore tea factory director in Nyamaiya division also welcomed the rainy period and urged tea farmers to utilise the season and harvest as much as possible.
"Tea thrives well when there are such ongoing conditions. Let tea farmers use the season to harvest before the harsh conditions come by," he said.
The incumbent directors also promised to fight for good pay of farmers come September when they release tea bonuses, and urged tea farmers to embrace the universal cash crop in Nyamira region.
"This year we have laid plans to ensure we get good bonuses for our farmers. We don't want an instance where by farmers are paid Sh10 per Kilogramme like the previous year," he said.
"The whole of Nyamira region is almost covered with the green cash crop. It is the ultimate source of life for many,” added Omoyo..