NAIROBI – Kenyan tobacco farmers earned Ksh 1.12 billion in 2024 from the sale of 4.7 million kilograms of green leaf to BAT Kenya, according to the company’s latest sustainability report.
The increased payouts followed improved yields credited to widespread adoption of hybrid tobacco seeds and soil management techniques promoted by the company. In its Combined Annual Sustainability Report for 2024, BAT Kenya said the shift from traditional to hybrid seeds raised productivity and boosted farmer income.
Crispin Achola, Managing Director of BAT Kenya, stated, “We are proud of the tangible progress we’ve made in improving farming outcomes, lowering our environmental footprint, and meeting climate goals.”
The company confirmed that 100 percent of its contracted farmers used hybrid seeds in 2024, up from 61 percent the previous year. Around 90.2 percent of these farmers adopted at least one soil management practice, which affected over two-thirds of the total tobacco-growing land.
Alongside tobacco farming, BAT Kenya promoted crop diversification. About 98 percent of contracted growers planted additional crops. The company supported this effort by distributing 13.8 tons of certified maize seeds and more than 11,650 avocado seedlings during the year.
In a push to strengthen household food security, the company launched a vegetable garden initiative. BAT Kenya distributed 21.5 kilograms of kale and black nightshade seeds to 215 farmers, most of whom are women under a targeted development program.
Environmental performance also saw progress. BAT Kenya cut its direct and indirect emissions by 54 percent exceeding its 50 percent reduction goal. The company attributed part of this success to a Ksh 145 million solar energy investment made between 2021 and 2022, which brought onsite solar power capacity to 1,400 kilowatt-peak.
On corporate diversity, the company reported that women held 69 percent of senior leadership positions in 2024, well above its 45 percent target.
“We’re seeing clear results in areas that matter agriculture, emissions, and inclusion,” said Achola. “These figures reflect the value of consistent investment in people, systems, and the environment.”
BAT Kenya says it will continue working with farmers on sustainable practices while advancing its broader environmental and social goals.
