Smallholder Tea Growers in learning exchange

Smallholder Tea Growers Associations in Thyolo and Mulanje on Wednesday came together to share lessons and skills in management and on how to improve productivity.

Morethan 30 farmers under National Smallholder Tea Growers Association (NSTGA) converged at Sukambizi Smallholder Tea Growers Association headquarters in Mulanje at the meeting organised by the Women’s Legal Resource Centre (Wolrec) under the Empowering Producers in Commercial Agriculture (Epic) project.

Project officer Kumvana Mlumbe stressed the need for associations to uplift each other through exchange of knowledge and skills. 

“We want all tea associations to excel. We want them to make independent decisions and form equitable partnerships with estate owners with an understand that their relationship is commercial,” said Mlumbe.

Princewell Pendame chairperson for NSTGA

said the association will go around to share the skills tapped from the learning exchange to all 18 000 members of NSTGA in the country so that they also benefit. 

On his part, chairperson for Sukambizi Association Fredrick Mkwapatira attributed their success to hardworking, dedication and a good relationship with estate owners.

The model association, has about 12 750 members. “We are also involved in other development activities such as provision of school bursaries, construction of school blocks, bridges, teachers houses, boreholes just to mention but a few,” said  Mkwapatira

The model association, has about 12 750 members.