| dc.description.abstract | According to literature the World tea supply was increasing at a higher rate than demand. The world was concerned about an oversupply of tea against decreasing consumption and low prices. This study intended to inquire into social economic factors influencing increased tea production. This case study focused on smallholder tea farmers in Kirinyaga County and was guided by the four main objectives.
The study aimed at assessing how levels of education and poverty influenced tea production. The study also wanted to establish how availability of farm inputs and tea market influenced tea production by the smallholder tea farmer. Kenya continues expanding tea production and is observed to be largest World black tea exporter after Sir Lanka.
Descriptive survey design was used as the research methodology for this study. A valid and reliable structured questionnaire was used as the principal research instrument. The main findings of the study were that education levels, availability of both farm inputs and market, and poverty, all interact to influence increased tea production.
The analysed findings mainly indicated that, a more understanding of the social economic variables surrounding tea production by the policy makers and tea related institutions was necessary in order to plan adequately for the smallholder tea farmer. This study recommended that the Government, the Tea Board of Kenya, the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya and the KTDA put down an appropriate infrastructure and formulate sustainable tea technologies. Economical strategies for the farmer will also be required. Further research was recommended in various areas. | en_US |
