By Nelson Mandela Muhoozi
The 6th African Tea Convention, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 9 to 11, 2024, gathered key stakeholders from the global tea industry under the theme “Harmony in a Cup: Promoting Tea for People and Planet.”
The event provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of tea production, trade, and sustainability in Africa.
Uganda, represented by a delegation led by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, seized the opportunity to learn from neighboring tea giants Rwanda and Kenya, who lead the region in tea exports.
The convention underscored the need for Uganda to sharpen its focus on quality, enhance government support, and adopt sustainable practices in order to strengthen its position in the global tea market.
Speaking on the lessons Uganda could adopt, Onesimus Matsiko, a tea sector expert and farmer, highlighted three key takeaways:
Product quality focus
Kenya and Rwanda, both recognized as top earners in the East African tea industry, have placed immense emphasis on product quality.
Matsiko noted that markets are rewarding this focus, as seen in Rwanda’s ability to maintain strong earnings even during global tea market downturns.
“Rwanda’s success is rooted in strict quality standards that ensure its tea fetches higher prices than that of competitors, including Kenya,” he remarked.
Government support and institutional frameworks
The strong regulatory and institutional frameworks in both Rwanda and Kenya provide critical support for their tea industries. Uganda, however, lags behind in this area.
Matsiko explained that the lack of consistent and effective government policies in Uganda has stifled its competitiveness.
“Both countries have robust systems that enhance quality control and support for farmers, something Uganda can learn from,” he added.
Fertilizer subsidies for farmers
Another crucial factor contributing to the success of Rwanda and Kenya’s tea industries is the provision of fertilizer subsidies.
In Rwanda, a 50-kilogram bag of NPK fertilizer costs sh54,000 ($14.30), while in Uganda, the same bag is priced at sh140,000 ($37.04).
These subsidies have been instrumental in boosting productivity and the livelihoods of smallholder tea farmers.
Although Uganda’s contribution to the global tea market remains modest, improving the quality and competitiveness of its producers could significantly enhance the industry’s sustainability.
The convention highlighted that, despite global tea consumption being lower than production, Uganda’s output is too small to be classified as excess.
However, Uganda’s tea sector could benefit from increased market share if it adopts quality-focused practices and receives stronger institutional support.
State Minister Fred Kyakulaga expressed optimism about Uganda’s tea industry, noting that the success of Rwanda’s smallholder farmers, who enjoy impressive livelihoods due to government-backed quality initiatives, provides a viable model for Uganda to emulate.
“We must ensure that Uganda’s smallholder farmers benefit from similar initiatives that focus on both quality and support,” he said.
