Rwanda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unilever Company of building two tea factories in Nyaruguru district of Southern Province and cultivating tea on 4000 hectares anticipating job opportunities of more than 2000 in the project.
The MoU was signed yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Dr. Mukeshimana Geraldine and the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Francis Gatare.
Unilever is one of World’s leading companies in foods and beverages in more than 190 countries.
Unilever Company is to invest between USD 40 and 50 million in the project of building two tea factories in respective sectors of Munini and Kibeho of Nyaruguru district, and increasing tea farmland by 4000.
The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Geraldine Mukeshimana said that 6000 farmers will grow tea in the Unilever project while more than 2000 will get permanent employment.
“The government of Rwanda has directed efforts in improving t the rural economy as envisioned in Vision 2020. With the Unilever partnership, the government wants to transform rural population livelihoods through job creation and enriching small scale tea farmers,”she said.
Camille Chammas who represented Unilever says that the project brings together various partners and will durably help Rwanda to make a good use of capacities the country has in cultivating one of best World’s tea. He also noted that it will help to access markets through Unilever with its popular trade marks which are believed to bring long term income benefits among farmers.
The project is expected to start within two months. In the EDPRS II, Rwanda targets to increase tea farmland to 18,000 hectares.
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