THE government has given one month ultimatum to tea factory owners in the country to pay debts they owe small-scale farmers.

David Silinde, Deputy Agriculture Minister, gave the ultimatum here yesterday during an event to mark International Tea Day.

"Until June 20 this year, all tea factory owners must pay all debts they owe smallholder farmers so that our farmers can benefit from the work they did throughout the season," he said.

Silinde said the government has put in place strategies to increase tea production by reviving abandoned farms and building seven factories to process the crop which will be owned by smallholder farmers.

He said another strategy of the government is to ensure that it installs irrigation infrastructure in tea plantations so that farmers can cultivate all seasons.

"We thank the government for continuing to give priority to the agriculture sector, including increasing budget for the Ministry of Agriculture up to 1.2trn/-. We want to ensure that tea is subsidised through inputs like fertiliser and improved seedlings to boost productivity per acre," he said.

Rukia Mwango, Tea Board Tanzania (TBT) acting director, said that the government has continued to take various measures to ensure that tea is sustainable.

She mentioned the measures as providing funds for the construction of seven factories that are to be owned by smallholder farmers and providing funds for reviving tea plantations that have been abandoned for a long time.

Mustapha Umande, TBT board chairman, said the aim of celebrating the day was to recognize contribution of the crop in promoting employment and economy of individual citizens and the nation as a whole.

He said the government will ensure that tea becomes one of the leading crops due to its importance for individuals and the government.

"In the last three years, the crop faced challenges, including a price drop and increased production costs, thus affecting its performance. We’re grateful that the government hasn’t let us down, it has continued to provide subsidies in fertiliser and encouraged irrigation agriculture," he said.