TRI unveils bug-resistant tea clones, PS Rono flags off 400,000 seedlings

The Tea Research Institute (TRI) has developed new mosquito bug-resistant tea clones a move expected to boost productivity and resilience in Kenya’s tea sector.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono flagged off 400,000 tea seedlings of the new varieties to be distributed to farmers for growing across major tea-growing regions.

The new clones are also high-yielding and climate-smart, offering a sustainable solution to challenges facing tea growers.

Speaking during the flag-off, PS Rono said TRI has played a critical role to ensure that farmers achieve the best tea quality and clones, including capacity building.

He said the institution which was established in 1952 has demonstrated its skills not only in Kenya alone but across East Africa and the region as a whole and the government is committed to upscale it.

TRI Managing Director Lilian Kerio said the institution has developed 62 new tea varieties which are pest resistant, high yielding and climate smart.

According to Kerio, adaptability trials were conducted in both East and West of Rift, which are tea growing areas.

She said TRI, which its mandate is to do research on tea and its sustainability, is doing a lot of research on value addition and advising the industry on challenges including low market prices and over production of CTC tea.