Page 5 - Rwagashani Tea Plantation
P. 5

In August 2020, the tea plantation was expanded by 5 acres. This portion is not yet ready for
               plucking. Tea plants grow at a height of 1-2 meters after which they are pruned and maintained
               at a short height to ease plucking of leaves. Generally, it takes about two years before the plant
               is mature enough for tea harvesting, and about five years for tea plants to give of their best.

               Tea plantations are most productive when they receive a balance of rainfall and sunshine. Using
               the fine tea plucking method, pickers pick only the second and third leaves together with their
               buds.  The tea plantation supervisor trains, mentors and monitors the pickers not to pluck more
               than two leaves with the bud (coarse plucking). The high quality standards at the factories reject
               such tea. Tea quality produced from this technique is very low.

               On the other hand, pruning takes place during the dry season. Pruning is a vital process. It eases
               harvesting  of  tea  shoots  and  promotes  budding.  Furthermore,  pruning  helps  remove  mature
               leaves and unproductive wood from tea plants. It facilitates branching in patterns that encourage
               plants to produce more leaves and buds. It stops the vertical plant growth and promotes the more
               productive horizontal growth. Furthermore, pruning minimizes loss of water through evaporation
               that leads to crop wilt which lowers production and income of whoever is engaged in the tea
               industry.





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