Rwanda Mountain Tea Ltd (RMT) celebrated its annual Tea Farmers Day across its nine factories in the country under the theme ‘The quality and quantity of tea production: The source of farmers’ well-being and the sustainable development of the country’s economy’ on December 19.

The end-of-year event is dedicated to showing appreciation to the farmers and their families who are instrumental in tea production, according to officials.

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During the event, farmers were honoured with essential rewards, including five cows which were given to the best-performing farmers, farming tools, livestock, 300 health insurance, transport means, cash prizes, and certificates of appreciation.

In addition to honouring the farmers, the event featured a Christmas celebration with farmers’ children at the factory’s ECD. Gifts such as toys, shoes, and more were given to kids, spreading festive joy to families and making the holiday season brighter.

Gustave Tombola, the RMT representative at the event, reflecting on the theme at Rutsiro Factory, said that global tea prices are constantly rising—mainly driven by improved quality—causing tea to remain a cornerstone of Rwanda’s economy, generating significant revenue for the country.

"The consistent increase in tea prices on the international market is a testament to the unwavering efforts of our farmers, cooperatives, and stakeholders in improving quality. With tea earning Rwanda $114.8 million in 2023-2024 and an ambitious target of $130 million for 2024-2025, we are proud to be part of this progress with our farmers,” said Tombola.

"Despite the progress we’ve achieved, tea production per hectare on community farms remains between 3.5 and 6 tonnes annually, far below the global average of 12 tonnes. To unlock the full potential of our factories, we must intensify efforts in improving farm productivity, replacing old tea trees, mulching, timely irrigation, and enhancing harvesting methods. This will ensure both quality and quantity meet the capacity of our processing facilities that we are looking for, moving forward.”

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Rutsiro Tea Factory remains a vital driver of economic growth and community development, not only by boosting production and creating employment opportunities but also by investing directly in local communities. The factory’s dedication to producing high-quality tea has earned it numerous awards, setting a benchmark for excellence both nationally and across the continent.

"As we expand tea plantations and improve productivity, we have seen remarkable growth from processing just 253,761 kgs of leaves in 2014 to an impressive 6,000,000 kgs in 2024. With this momentum, we are on track to reach even greater milestones in the coming year,” said Jonathan Bisengimana, General Director of Rutsiro Factory.

"In just one month, our factory spent over Rwf 166 million to benefit local workers and communities. Beyond employment, we remain committed to supporting farmers through technical assistance, livestock distribution, and critical infrastructure projects such as road construction.”

The factory has also established an Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre for the children of farmers under the age of five. At the centre, children are cared for and fed while their parents are at work, providing a supportive environment for both the families and the community.

The ECD centre offers essential early development skills, including singing, counting, learning the alphabet, and other foundational activities that nurture the children’s growth.

"On top of everything, we give children love and a safe space to grow. Seeing them happy and learning while their parents work brings joy to all of us. As children progress in age, RMT continues to support their education by paying their school fees until they complete secondary school. This initiative not only alleviates the financial burden on families but also ensures that children have access to quality education, empowering them for a brighter future,” said Esperance Yandereye, an ECD teacher.

"I am overjoyed to receive this cow today. It’s a dream come true for my family. Growing tea has not only improved my income but has also given me access to support like technical farming skills, school fees for my children, and now this cow, which will provide us with milk and manure to improve our fields. My life has truly changed for the better,” said Agnes Nyirasafari, a beneficiary.