HON. MINISTER OF STATE NSENGIYUMVA LAUNCHES TEA PLANTING SEASON IN WESTERN PROVINCE

On October 12, 2017, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Fulgence Nsengiyumva visited Gisovu tea estate in Karongi District and joined farmers from five tea famers’ unions to plant tea seedlings on three hectares in Twumba sector. It was a great occasion to launch the tea planting season.

After a community work (umuganda) of planting 44,000 seedlings of the cash crop, the Minister of State who was accompanied by the CEO of National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), Amb. George William Kayonga and the Executive Secretary of the Western Province Mr. Pierre Celestin Habiyaremye with other officials discussed with farmers on the sub-sector’s status and its future. Hon Nsengiyumva lauded efforts invested by tea farmers in the industry and commended their current achievements.

“Gisovu teas won various awards from the world and we have come here to congratulate you and pledge our total support for further development,” Minister of State Nsengiyumva told the tea farmers.

He also appreciated the outstanding contribution of NAEB and the national tea farmers’ federation, dubbed Ferwacothe, in making the tea industry a success. He added that as far as the government is concerned, Rwandans should benefit from tea rather than anyone else.

“These tea plantations are yours; as no one contributes to their productivity more than you, no one should gain more than you do,” he pointed out.

The gathering had time to tour tea seedling nurseries ready to be planted this season, the Gisovu tea factory and got insight on why Gisovu tea has the best of the word’s tea qualities.

Farmers pledged to improve tea productivity from 7.5 tons to 9 tons per hectare by 2020.

Tea was introduced in Rwanda in 1961. So far, the country has fifteen tea factories and eight of them are located in the Western province. Three more factories are being settled and will open soon.

Currently, tea is grown on 17,972 hectares in 12 districts of the country and 42,840 farmers earn life from tea industry.

RWANDA SECURES OVER RWF 110 BILLION IN IFAD FUNDING TO BOOST AGRICULTURE

MINAGRI launches Veterinary Sanitary Mandate policy and related Digital Licensing system

Rwanda Launches the Youth FAST Forum

Rwanda Hosted the 21st CAADP Partnership Platform and 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

Rwanda Marks World Food Day 2025 with a Call for Collective Action on Nutrition and Food Security

Rwanda hosted the 6th Eastern Africa Farmers Federation Congress

UBUTUMWA BUJYANYE N’IGIHEMBWE CY’IHINGA CY’UMUHINDO CYA 2026 A

MINISTER DR. MARK CYUBAHIRO BAGABE INAUGURATED THE KIBEHO TEA FACTORY

MINAGRI Rallies Stakeholders to Boost Seeds and Fertilizer Distribution for 2026A Agricultural Season