The long-term environmental, social and economic benefits of Rainforest Alliance certification are undeniable. When farms meet the comprehensive criteria of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) Standard, not only do they protect forests, provide habitat for wildlife and ensure the rights and well-being of workers, their families and their communities -- they often see increases in productivity and receive price premiums.
Smallholder tea farmers in Kenya are organized through the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), which works with farmers to produce, process and market high quality teas. KTDA promotes better tea production practices in order to help smallholder farmers increase production quantity and achieve certification--with the ultimate goal of strengthening existing tea markets and establishing new ones. Various KTDA farms are pursuing certification by Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and UTZ.
