Before calling the UCTCCN coordinator I decided to research as much as I could on tea. Realising I am no tea producing expert I understand that there are some issues with the tea cooperatives in Rwanda as there are only 3 factories and some of the cooperatives are a bit far away from the factory. Tea leaves need to be brought to the factory as soon as possible to guarantee the premium tea quality. Most of the tea being sold is from Kenya while Rwandan tea is actually of higher quality but not well known. Rwanda has clear guidelines in relation to tea production. Online a lot of information can be found on tea production: http://www.ifad.org/english/operations/pf/rwa/i596rw/web/teac1_intro1.htm

I contacted Numerien the coordinator of UCTCCN and received all the necessary information. UCTCCN was created in 2007 and operates from the district RUBAVU, sector Nyundo. UCTCCN is a co-operative consisting of 4 more cooperatives. These being 1) Cooperative théicoles de la Pfunda (COOTP), 2) Cooperative théicole de Ramba (COTRAGAG), 3) Cooperative théicoles de Gasiza (COOPTHEGA) 4) Cooperative théicole de Rutsiro (RUTEGROC). The entire union consists of 5538 individuals. This is going to be one hell of a mission!

My job is to assist in creating a strategic plan to make the union more professional in order for it to be an added value for the small tea farmers. On top of that UCTCCN would like me to create an initial framework for creating a microfinance and microsavings division inside the tea union. So that tea farmers can go to their cooperative to resolve their financial problems.

I have 2 weeks to do this. I doubt 2 weeks will be sufficient so they have mailed me already as much information as currently available.

One thing I am wondering is whether this tea union is FairTrade certified? I am definitely going to enlighten myself on how to become a FairTrade producer in Rwanda. http://www.fairtrade.net/becoming-a-fairtrade-producer.html