A section of farmers in Nyansiongo region now want the Nyansiongo Tea Factory to extend tea picking hours till late in the afternoon.
Speaking on Wednesday during an impromptu meeting to air their grievances, the farmers said they were facing difficulties in picking tea since the factory had reverted to picking the commodity during the morning hours from tea buying centres.
They said a majority of them have failed to meet their targets as a result of the move.
“We are not happy with the factory’s decision to pick the tea from our buying centres during the morning hours. Many of us are unable to meet our daily or monthly targets and this habit should stop. We are keen to work closely with the company,” said Anthony Monda on behalf of the farmers.
However, the factory’s chairman Christopher Nyakora said the issue will be resolved during the annual meeting scheduled for Monday next week.
“We have received the complaint and will be meeting soon to iron out the issue because there are those who prefer the morning hours,” he said.
But the farmers threatened to boycott the exercise if the decision is not reversed.
“The factory must know that we aren’t tied up to them. They ought to reverse the decison or we boycott and consider other options,” Monda said.