Last week, the Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation (NTZDC) Board of Directors embarked on an extensive field visit to the Corporation’s buffer zones in Nandi North and Kericho, gaining firsthand insight into the unique conservation–production model that defines NTZDC’s mandate.
The tour, led by Board Chairman Joseph Gitonga and CEO David Chepkwony, offered both seasoned and newly appointed Board members—including Ms. Malika Omar, who joined the Board in June 2025—an opportunity to understand how the Corporation uses tea and indigenous tree belts to protect key forest ecosystems while generating sustainable income.
Experiencing the Buffer Zone Model on the Ground
For many Board members, and especially for Ms. Omar who had limited exposure to tea farming before joining NTZDC, the visit was both educational and transformational. The team walked through the lush tea fields, visited nurseries, and interacted with Zonal teams who oversee daily operations across the expansive buffer zones.
They witnessed how the buffer zones serve dual purposes:
- Protecting natural forests from encroachment
- Supporting sustainable tea production for local and international markets
The Board examined the stages of tea growth, from seedling propagation in nurseries to mature plucking zones, gaining clarity on how the Corporation maintains high-quality yields while upholding strict environmental standards.
Highlighting Conservation Efforts in the Mau Landscape
A key part of the buffer zone visit included an assessment of NTZDC’s role in the Mau Forest Restoration Project, where the Corporation has donated 152,000 tree seedlings to support rehabilitation efforts. This initiative, driven by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change and funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF), aligns with NTZDC’s long-standing commitment to forest protection and climate resilience.
The Board had the opportunity to see how the buffer zones complement national restoration efforts by creating structured green belts that deter human encroachment while supporting livelihoods.
Induction and Appreciation of Operational Realities
The field visit served as an important induction exercise for the new Board members, allowing them to appreciate the operational realities, challenges, and impact of NTZDC’s work on the ground. Senior Management and zonal staff offered detailed briefings on:
- Land management practices
- Tea husbandry
- Community relationships
- Environmental safeguards
- Processing linkages with nearby factories
These interactions reinforced the significance of NTZDC’s role in safeguarding Kenya’s critical water towers while contributing to the country’s tea industry.
The Board concluded the visit with a renewed appreciation of the buffer zones—not just as tea fields, but as vital conservation assets that protect forests, support communities, and sustain one of the nation’s most iconic agricultural industries.