Tea is critical to Rwanda’s economy, accounting for around 13% of FOREX into the country. The tea sector is also one of the focus areas of the Government, with production rapidly increasing and five new factories planned. Woodfuel – virtually all from Eucalyptus plantations – is a crucial part of the tea production process and is already in short supply. In 2011, Gatsby, in partnership with The Wood Foundation Africa, bought two run-down tea estates with the view to transitioning ownership of the factories to the smallholders that supply them over time. UNIQUE were tasked with investigating the wood supply and demand for the two factories, in order to manage fuelwood costs and ensure long-term security of energy supply.

• Field survey of the plantations of the two tea factories with poor management history and poor growth.
• Detailed silvicultural recommendations to rapidly improve the yield and conditions of the plantations.
• Two training workshops focusing on best practices for cultivating eucalypts for fuelwood.
• Assessment of further training needs.