Tea research along value chains; constraints and potential areas of inter-institutional collaboration

Abstract

Tea production in Kenya has expanded rapidly during the last 40 years. Kenya now commands 10% of the world production and about 20% of the export share. Research outputs have contributed immensely to this growth. This paper reviews some past key research interventions, current tea research priorities and strategies and potential areas for inter-institutional collaboration in Kenya. Topics include: elite cultivars used; crop management technology; environmental friendly crop protection technology, technologies for the production of quality black tea; sustainable soil management; and disease and pest management.