Last Updated on: 16th October 2021, 09:11 am
Our target is to have tea mother gardens across regions – says EFOTI director
Northern Uganda – 15, October 2021: Commercial tea growing is taking shape in Northern Uganda with thousands of farmers now busy in their gardens.
The region’s districts of Gulu, Zombo, Nwoya, Amuru, Adjumani are progressing well with tea growing, according to the Edwin Foundation Tea Initiative (EFOTI) officials.
There are currently over 1,000 registered tea farmers across the five districts (above), and 1,018 acres under utilisations.
There are trails taking place in Kiryandongo, and over 3,000 acres to be planted across the country, TND News has learnt.
“We have tea seedlings for planting. Tea will automatically give the region daily bread and change their lives,” Edwin Atukunda Beekunda, EFOTI director says.
Now 45 years old, Atukunda predicts the future of Northern Uganda by the time he will be 50.
“I advise all to embrace tea growing in Northern Uganda as the only way to fight poverty once and for all. As for EFOTI management, we have open doors after (re)introducing the crop that was thought not to be fit for the region,” he adds.
“We shall have established mother gardens in all regions for easy access of cuttings for better planting materials,” EFOTI director says when asked about next five years’ prediction.
He adds that, “We shall have popularised tea in all parts of the country. We shall be targeting to have atleast one factory in each district of Northern Uganda.”
In the next five years, he also says Zombo tea factory will be in full production, consuming all tea harvested from all parts of the North.
At least, he predicts 2,000 youth shall be employed directly or indirectly.
“Zombo Royal Tea will be one of the best teas in East Africa.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, the Alur King – HRH Philip Rauni Olaker allocated land for establishing a tea factory in Zombo.
Government years ago promised to establish a tea factory in the region and Zombo was chosen for, among other reasons: its commitment to embrace tea, and the many plantation estates it has.
People who witnessed the event Friday were State Minister for Northern Uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny (represented), all area MPs, LC5 chairperson Zombo; CAO, production team from the district, Royal council members, and a team from Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) and RDC Zombo.
