WASHINGTON DC —
Some tea farmers in Manicaland province say they are getting a raw deal from buyers who are offering prices as low as 10 cents a kilogram for their farm produce.
One of the farmers, Felix Gondo of Honde Valley, says this has forced hundreds of farmers to pull out of a local tea association, which links producers with buyers.
People are not being paid enough. Just imagine 10 cents a kg cannot sustain one’s family. Nowadays things are very expensive,” said Gondo.
He tells VOA Studio 7 a farmer is earning at least $50 a month from tea cultivation as a result of the low producer price.
Agriculture Minister Joseph Made was not available for comment.
