KARONGI — Several tea growers in Karongi and Rutsiro districts, last week, received free cows as they celebrated their achievements over the past decade.

The cows were donated by Rwanda Mountain Tea, at a colourful ceremony which attracted hundreds of residents at Gisovu Tea factory.

Most of the farmers who spoke to The New Times talked of steady progress in their activities, expressing hope for a bright future.

"Over the last 10 years as a tea farmer, I am able to get a monthly income enough for my family’s survival. I have health insurance and children are able to go to school.

There is firm hope for the future,” Antoine Murenzi, one of the farmers said.

Emile Nsanzabaganwa, the Director General of Gisovu Tea factory, explains that farmers have formed a sector credit and savings cooperative (Sacco) which has so far accumulated about Rwf80m.

"They are determined to achieve the target of having between 300 and 400 million in the next seven years,” Nsanzabaganwa said.

”The factory has facilitated four major projects in several areas in the two districts that will soon open other independent tea factories,” he added.

At the function, Paul Jabo, the Executive Secretary of the Western Province, hailed the farmers for working together to improve their standards of living.

Their efforts improve the image of the whole region, he said.

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