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Approximately 38.5 Ha will be
converted to a forest and wildlife
conservation area. 15.3 Ha has
been used for approximately
10 km of roads, as well as offices,
nurseries, green leaf weighing
sheds and sector offices.
The Cooperative has also committed to planting an additional
200 Ha of new tea.The expected increase in production once these
new tea areas mature and come into bearing is 1,256,000 kg of
made tea.
Visitors find it hard to
comprehend that all
road construction has
been done manually –
no bulldozers or
mechanical earthmoving equipment was used. When they see
the factory area with its compound, paved roads and paths, the
two staff housing areas with well maintained houses and
manicured patches of green, and the two children’s parks, all kept
spotlessly clean in keeping with the best international standards,
they are amazed that such a facility exists in Rwanda. Pfunda
manages to create a ‘feel’ about it that is warm, friendly, mindful
of others and a place where people want, and feel privileged, to
be.The weed free young tea planted in the most hostile terrain,
with infrastructure such as roads, bridges, green leaf weighing
stations and sector offices already in place, is a pioneering effort;
it is every tea planter’s dream come true and a matter of great
pride for A. S. Nain and R. M. D’Rozario.
Post-privatisation Pfunda has many achievements to be
proud of – it was the first to increase daily labour wages and
has always paid the highest daily wage in the Rwanda tea
sector. In November 2010, Pfunda’s Food Safety
Management Systems were approved by the auditors from
URS Egypt and Pfunda was given the ISO 22000:2005
certification. In February 2011, when Pfunda was awarded
Rainforest Alliance accreditation,Ms Adelaide Webster said,
“Congratulations! This is the first ever Certificate issued in
Rwanda, so this is especially exciting for us.”
Pfunda takes its corporate social responsibility very seriously.
It regularly contributes to GIRINIKA, the one cow per
family scheme, helps financially in carrying out repairs and
extensions to schools in various administrative sectors around
Pfunda, and has contributed generously to the government’s
AGACIRO (self reliance) fund. As roads are necessary for
the development of the local economy, Pfunda maintains the
public roads and bridges in the tea sectors. Water is fast
becoming a scarce resource so Pfunda contributes financially
towards rainwater harvesting schemes in local schools.
Pfunda also opened a ‘tea sales’ outlet just outside the factory,
on the Musanze-Rubavu highway, in January 2012.
On 26 November 2014, Borelli Tea Holdings Limited
purchased LAB International Ltd’s 90% shareholding in
Pfunda. For the Grahams the parting with Pfunda was not
easy, as there were many emotions and happy memories, but
as I am fond of saying, “Business does not run on sentiment,”
so a business decision was made, and Pfunda became a part
of the McLeod Russel family.
As I move on from Pfunda my mind reasons that with all the
resources and experience that McLeod Russel has, Pfunda is in
safe hands; but like a parent reluctant to part with a child grown
up, I do at times feel apprehensive whilst looking back with a
smile and the satisfaction of a job enjoyed and well done.
Staff Colony
Newly Planted Tea
Safe Practices
Meandering Roads