Nairobi, May 7 -- Farmers contracted by BAT Kenya were paid Sh1.4 billion for their delivery of tobacco leaf last year, with their earnings from the cigarette manufacturer rising 27 percent from Sh1.1 billion in 2024.

Growers' earnings have been disclosed by the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm in its latest annual report.

The company's payouts to farmers has been rising in recent years as it recruits more producers to feed its manufacturing and processing of cigarettes and cut rag (semi-processed tobacco) that are sold in the local and export markets.

BAT recruited an additional 570 farmers last year, raising their count to 2,440 from 1,870 in 2024.

"Our leaf growing operations in Kenya are concentrated in the counties of Bung...