STORY: Tea industry helps improve rural livelihoods in Rwanda's Nyabihu district
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 16, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:30
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the tea leaves
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): MARCELINE MUKAMANA, Tea picker at Nyabihu tea factory
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): JEAN BAPTISTE RUKIRAMACUMU, Tea picker at Nyabihu tea factory
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Kinyarwanda): YVES MUNGWAKUZWE, Director General of Nyabihu tea company

STORYLINE:

In the lush landscapes of the Rambura sector, Nyabihu district in the Western Province of Rwanda, tea picking has evolved beyond a mere profession; it has become a lifeline for individuals like Marceline Mukamana, a single mother of three.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): MARCELINE MUKAMANA, Tea picker at Nyabihu tea factory
"Harvesting tea has helped my personal growth. It enables me to cover health insurance expenses and purchase essential items such as clothes for my children and food, and other household necessities. This job holds great significance for me. I have dedicated 12 years to this tea-picking profession, and it has allowed me to achieve various milestones, such as buying a cow."
   
Mukamana is just one among thousands of individuals whose lives have been positively transformed by the thriving tea industry in the Nyabihu district.
   
Located in the Western Province, the Nyabihu Tea Factory stands as a testament to the significant impact the cultivation and processing of tea leaves have had on the local community.
   
Joining Mukamana in this tale of resilience is Jean Baptiste Rukiramacumu, another dedicated tea picker at the Nyabihu Tea Factory.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): JEAN BAPTISTE RUKIRAMACUMU, Tea picker at Nyabihu tea factory
"Pursuing a career in tea-picking has facilitated several accomplishments. For instance, I have been able to acquire a piece of land and construct a house. Additionally, I have bought two cows. I have four children whom I send to school. The income I earn from tea-picking allows me to cover their school fees, provide clothing, and meet other daily financial needs."
   
The driving force behind this positive change is the Nyabihu Tea Factory, guided by the vision of Director General Yves Mungwakuzwe.
   
According to Mungwakuzwe, the factory processes tea from both its own fields and those of tea farmers who are part of a cooperative.
   
The cooperative approach not only fosters a sense of community but also enhances the overall productivity of the tea industry in the region, he told Xinhua.
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (Kinyarwanda): YVES MUNGWAKUZWE, Director General of Nyabihu tea company
"There are plans to expand tea cultivation by collaborating with tea farmers, assisting them in processing tea seedlings over 15 months. The recent harvest yielded 7.5 million leaves, resulting in a marketable output of 2,016 tons."
   
He emphasized the factory's commitment to maintaining high-quality standards, evident through certifications like the Rainforest Alliance certificate and ISO 2022 international standard certificates.
   
The seal of the Rainforest Alliance certificate means that the certified ingredient was produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental.
   
The strategic planning of tea cultivation, incorporating environmental conservation measures, has not only led to a strong domestic market presence but also enabled international exports, according to Mungwakuzwe.
   
He said that the tea from Nyabihu is available in most supermarkets in the country, with direct exports reaching Europe, America, China, and other global regions. The ripple effect is felt in the local economy, as the factory provides permanent employment opportunities to more than 5,000 individuals, according to him.
   
Tea remains one of Rwanda's top agricultural export revenue earners. In 2021, Rwanda earned more than 96 million U.S. dollars from exporting over 35 million kg of tea compared to over 32 million kg sold for more than 90 million U.S. dollars in 2020, according to data from the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)