Environmental Conditions- The Rainforest Alliance Certification

This is the second part of the analysis on the social and environmental impacts of the UTK estate in Kericho. This type of industry can potentially have massive impacts on the state of the surrounding impact, characteristic of most agriculturally based endeavors. These have both short term and long term effects on the general health of the environment.

For the most part, UTK has been very commendable in their management of sustainable agricultural practices. This is part and parcel with their affiliation and subscription to the Rainforest Alliance Certification. The Rainforest Alliance is an independent NGO that works with individuals, communities and companies whose livelihoods depend on the land, to reduce environmental impacts and increases social and economic benefits. They verify that practices and standards are ethical, equitable, economically viable and environmentally sound. Unilever International also tries to ensure that the external tea estates are also well certified and practice cultivation properly.

UTK ensures that there is little to no fertilizer input, and places measures to ensure that tea-growing is as natural as possible. Basic precision farming and soil testing techniques are employed to ensure that only specific soils are fertilizer applied. There is absolutely no use of pesticides in the estate at present. UTK also practices mixed cropping to provide natural manure, control weeds and minimize erosion. High density plants per hectare also aids in preventing soil erosion, and various soil conservation methods such as micro catchments and mulching covering are used.
UTK also ecologically recycles wastes, while wastes from tea factories are derived exclusively from the teas themselves, and hence are re-used as organic fertilizer.

UTK owns a forest within Kericho and has planted over half a million trees of 69 different native species of tree in a reforestation program, the 'Tree 2000 Program'. There are also specialized employees who ensure that the wildlife, especially the monkeys, are well taken care of.

UTK keeps to the natural rain cycle and hence does not need irrigation. The estate is situated in close proximity to Lake Victoria and takes advantage of the naturally occurring rainfall patterns.

The Rainforest Alliance Certification

In order to achieve this certification, certain criteria must be met at both a social and ecological perspective. This includes:

1. Less water pollution- all sources of contamination are controlled
2. Wildlife habitat is protected
3. Less waste as farm byproducts are used as natural fertilizer and others are recycled
4. Less soil erosion through soil conservation practices
5. Less Water used as water conservation methods are applied
6. More efficient farm management- better planning and scheduling, monitoring and identification
7. Improved conditions for workers
8. Improved profitability and competitiveness for farmers
9. More collaboration between farmers and conservationists