Agricultural experts from Nyansiongo tea factory have warned tea farmers against planting trees near tea farms and estates given their devastating effect to the tea plantations.
Speaking on Thursday during a presentation of an assessment research that was done to evaluate effects of trees on the tea crop, Agricultural extension officer Alice Nyakweba, said tea farms were suffering from ‘drying effect’ due to ‘dehydration’ of water from the soil by trees.
She said tea farmers would continue recording poor yields if they continue practicing the habit without following advice from experts.
“We carried out research on effects of trees on tea farms and the findings were very overwhelming. The undergrowth of tea in this region is largely as a result of dehydration of water from the soil by trees making the tea farms suffer a lot,” she said.
She added: “Tea cannot survive in absence of or in little water. You are likely to continue experiencing poor output if the habit persists. For your own sake, it is essential that you desist from planting trees near tea farms.”
Plant chairman Christopher Nyakora said the factory would impose sanctions on farmers who would ignore the directive from experts.
“I believe they have heard the advice and we will not sit back and watch this happen. Remember as farmers, you are losing as well as the factory and so in return, the economy of the nation suffers. We will ban those who ignore the directive from trading with us,” he said.