To compete with Rwanda, Kenya, observe standards, TRIT advises tea farmers

By Prosper Makene

TRIT Executive Director, Dr Emmanuel Simbua

 

The Tea Research Institute of Tanzania (TRIT) has urged tea processing factories in the country to refuse purchasing substandard tea from farmers as a way of competing with fellow producers from Rwanda and Kenya who are doing better at the Mombasa tea auction.


Speaking in an exclusive with The Guardian on Monday, TRIT Executive Director Dr Emmanuel Simbua said most tea factories in the country buy substandard tea which at the end of the day fetches lower prices at the Mombasa auction because of its quality.

“Apart from Rwanda and Kenya having better climate for tea production but the other problem of our tea lies in the processing factories which buy raw tea without ensuring that they get qualities purchases. As a result the tea processed is below the standards, which makes it hard to compete at the Mombasa tea auction,” he said.

Dr Simbua added: “The government also needs to come up and ensure that there is good infrastructure to make the farmers to easily reach the processing factories on time, otherwise the farmers would always sell substandard tea.”

He pointed out that tea farmers must follow all the recommendations made by the tea researchers so as make them harvest quality tea capable of competing in international auctions.

“Unilever Tea Tanzania Limited is now doing better in Mombasa Auction just because of following the instructions given by the tea researchers, it’s high time now Tanzanian tea fetched higher prices at the Mombasa auction,” he said.

He underscored that TRIT has released four newly improved clones to ensure that the farmers are plant good those that will produce quality teas.

“TRIT released the new clones so as to ensure that farmers plant better species that will produce quality teas capable of competing in the market,” he said.
He went on to say that some of the newly released clones achieved excellent black tea brew quality.

Clone (381/5 has excellent quality of black tea similar to standard clone 6/8) and others have moderate quality but well acceptable by most tea testers.
The clones have demonstrated the high ability to tolerate drought stress -- especially clone 430/63, he said.

The TRIT’s boss said that they will continue creating awareness on the tea clones to all stakeholders including growers, processors, tea market personnel, packaging personnel, consumers as well as continue to disseminate the new technology through establishment of satellite mother bush plots to cover all representative tea areas in the country.

The Tea Research Institute of Tanzania (TRIT) was established in 1996 as an autonomous organisation representing the government and the tea industry.
TRIT aims to support the development of both small and large scale producers through appropriate, cost effective, high quality research and technology transfer, to ensure the sustainability of the industry. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN