Lipton Tea Innovation and Technology Academy (LTITA) Launch
The Lipton Tea Innovation and Technology Academy (LTITA) which is being established at the University of Kabianga was launched by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Hon. Dr. William Samoei Ruto (C.G.H) at the State House, Nairobi on 22nd February, 2024.
The function was presided over by the President in the presence of the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Hon Ezekiel Machogu (CBS), Members of Parliament, Senate Majority Leader, Hon. Aaron Cheruiyot, the Lipton Teas and Infusion team led by Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Nathalie Roos, the representative of the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi, Commission for University Education represented by Prof. Urbanus N. Mutwiwa, TVETA team led by the Director General, Dr. Kipkirui Langat, University of Kabinga delegation led by Hon. James Bett and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Koech among others.
The Lipton Tea Innovation and Technology Academy is a result of collaboration between Lipton Teas and Infusions and the Ministry of Education through University of Kabianga. The mission of the Academy is to transform the tea sector through training, research, innovation and extension. The end goal is to ensure that Kenya produces high end tea and tea products through use of advanced technologies that include the IoTea which is capable of transforming the sector through enhanced traceability, improved quality, operational efficiency, reduced waste and carbon footprint, and minimized use of agrochemicals; advanced tea breeding programmes which will help produce high-yielding tea clones that are climate - resilient and resistant to pests and diseases and utilization of best agronomic practices that would be based on extensive scientific research. The Academy will be both a specialized training centre for the entire tea value chain and a technological and innovation hub for tea occupational diversification opportunities and economic empowerment outreach programmes especially for the small holder tea farmers.