Tobacco farmers in Kenya earned a total of Ksh 1.12 billion from 4.7 million kilograms of green leaf sourced by BAT Kenya last year.
The Combined Annual Sustainability Report 2024 by BAT Kenya shows that increased payments to contracted farmers was supported by improved yield as a result of sustainable practices the multinational deployed in the tobacco value chain during the period.
“We are proactively taking a leading role in tackling some of the most salient sustainability issues globally and in our communities. We aim to do this by responsibly Building a Smokeless World, reducing our use of natural resources and delivering on our climate goals,” said Crispin Achola, BAT Kenya Managing Director and General Manager BAT East and Southern Africa.
According to the report, BAT Kenya increased usage of hybrid tobacco seeds which were introduced in 2022, from 61pc of farmers in 2023 to 100pc in last year, a move which has seen improved yields compared to traditional tobacco seeds.
Additionally, the firm says 90.2pc of contracted farmers implemented at least one best practice soil management method on their farms translating to 67.5pc of hectares of tobacco crop.
BAT Kenya also reported that 98pc of its contracted farmers are now planting alternative crops is it promotes crop diversification.
Last year, the firm says it issued 13.8 tons of certified maize seeds to farmers to plant during the rainy season and distributed over 11,650 avocado seedlings to farmers.
“Further, in 2024 we progressed with a vegetable garden project for our farmers and distributed 21.5kgs of vegetable seeds, kale and black nightshade to 215 farmers and women in our women’s development programme. The project contributed to food security by providing vegetables to the participating homesteads,” says the report.
The report further shows that the firm also cut emissions by 54pc against a target of 50pc and increased women representation in senior leadership teams to 69pc against 45pc target by end of this year.
“We are pleased with the sustained progress made on our priorities, such as halving our scope 1 and 2 emissions ahead of target, enhancing sustainable agriculture practices and championing diversity, equity and inclusion across the organization,” added Achola.
To further cut emissions, BAT Kenya says it invested Ksh 145 million in solar energy between 2021 and 2022, increasing its onsite generated electricity to 1,400-Kilowatt peak (KwP).
