In the mist-covered slopes of the Aberdare Range, at 2,037 metres above sea level, Nduti Tea Factory (farmer-owned and part of the Kenya Tea Development Agency family) is reimagining what farming success looks like.
Traditionally focused on black CTC tea, the factory has embraced a broader vision: resilience through diversification.
Through the programme Cup of Ambition — supported by buyers Marks & Spencer and Waitrose — farmers around Nduti have received training and inputs for:
- Propagating more tea seedlings
- Planting corn gardens
- Growing Hass avocado seedlings
- Acquiring tea pruning machines and other equipment
What this means in practice: instead of relying solely on one crop (tea), farmers now have multiple income streams. When tea yields or market prices drop, corn or avocado may cushion the impact. This shift is rooted in a clear strategy: build resilience, reduce risk, and open new opportunities.
“The diversification programme gave us the chance to do something different… we’re no longer just filling the tea basket.” — Farmer participant
Looking ahead, the ambition is clear. As Kenya’s tea‐industry leadership emphasises value addition and diversification to meet global markets and future threats, Nduti is positioned to ride that wave.
Farmers will increasingly become agribusinesses — managing multiple crops, accessing export markets, and investing in efficiency. Nduti is strengthening its ecosystem so that the harvest of tomorrow isn’t just about quantity, but about stability, choice and pro-active growth.