Massive programme to boost reputation, production of tea -Minister Ramesh Pathirana

• We invite planters from all parts of Sri Lanka and especially, Galle district, small and large scale tea growers to produce 800 kgs of tea from each acre
• We plan to establish a proper watering system to plants and trying to reduce the scarcity of human resource to completely avoid the shortage of tea plants. Furthermore, we are trying to provide a breakthrough in all export crops such as Rubber, Coconut etc

By Sandun A Jayasekera

The Plantation Industries Ministry is to carry out a range of measures to double the export of ‘Ceylon Tea’ treble the tea production and make the export earning from tea as one of the first three export earners of the economy by 2025, Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.   

He added that the plans are afoot to use new technology to increase human productivity and to attract new customers to the tea industry.   
Minister Pathirana made these remarks at a ceremony held in Hammaliya at Baddegama to mark the ‘World Tea Day’.   

“We plan to establish a proper watering system to plants and trying to reduce the scarcity of human resource to completely avoid the shortage of tea plants. Furthermore, we are trying to provide a breakthrough in all export crops such as Rubber, Coconut etc. These export crops, together with tea, make a tremendous contribution to Sri Lanka economy. The Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is confident of the growth of these sectors and is always ready to help the Sri Lankan planters,” Minister Pathirana stressed.   

The government led by President Rajapaksa also has a responsibility to make tea industry one of the top commercial industries and thereby increase the per capita income of tea growers, mainly of small holders. By the year 2018, national annual tea production was 303 million kgs. Our aim is to double this within the next 5 years, Minister Pathirana added.   
In Sri Lanka tea yield per acre is 350 to 400 kgs. We focus to take effective steps to improve the research activities to increase the tea yield per acre up to 1000 kgs.   

“We invite planters from all parts of Sri Lanka and especially, Galle District, small and large scale tea growers to produce 800 kgs of tea from each acre. The Tea Board thanked us for introducing a new machinery system to enhance production,’ he said.   

In Sri Lanka we hope to introduce 40 models of tea plantations within one month. We have decided to conduct our next programme in Matara District. We plan to use new technology to increase human productivity and hope to attract new growers to tea industry.   
We will also set up Registered new nurseries and taking steps to increase the capacity of the nurseries within three months. Taking action to supply the necessary plants promptly in the second quarter. Remove the existing unproductive tea plantations and establish the new tea plantations, Minister Pathirana noted.   

Discussions are underway with the Tea Research Institute in order to introduce new compost for tea plantations. There are also concerns about smallholder tea plantation owners who wait for 4 years to obtain a viable yield. Steps will be taken to introduce plants that will grow rapidly to increase the production and develop the tea industry. We’ll take stern action against those who try to downsize tea industry. Taking steps to develop, nurture and cultivate all the crops that can be grown in Sri Lanka. Taking measure to minimize imports related to the plantation industry. The President and Prime Minister aim to promote and develop Sri Lankan produce. We have also decided to restore lost reputation of the Sri Lanka tea to the world Number One position by increasing its quality to highest level.