A new record in Bangladesh’s tea production looms
Source: Somoy News
Across the picturesque landscape of Moulvibazar, one can spot approximately 93 tea gardens,
both small and large, sprawling across the hills. Photo: Somoy
Favourable weather conditions, including ample rainfall and moderate temperatures, coupled with diligent oversight from the Bangladesh Tea Board, have set the stage for an unprecedented tea harvest.
Compared to the previous year, tea production has surged by an impressive 5.9 million kilograms, and it is anticipated that the country may witness a historic high in tea production, marking the culmination of 169 years of tea cultivation in this region.
Historically, the highest recorded tea production in the country was in 2021 when it surpassed 96 million kilograms.
This year, the Tea Board has set an ambitious target of 102 million kilograms, a goal that officials believe can be readily achieved.
Across the picturesque landscape of Moulvibazar, one can spot approximately 93 tea gardens, both small and large, sprawling across the hills.
In every upazila of the district, tea plantations blanket the terrain, forming an expansive sea of vibrant green. Recent timely rainfall and moderate sunshine have breathed new life into the tea plants, resulting in flourishing young tea leaves.
Women tea workers are diligently plucking these tender leaves from the early hours of the morning. Despite facing a dry spell during the initial months of the tea production season, the consistent rainfall and tolerable sunlight during the full production season in June, July, August, and September have been a boon to tea cultivation.
Experts suggest that for optimal tea production, a minimum of 2000 millimeters of rainfall is required annually. As of mid-September, a total of 1,930 millimeters of rainfall has been recorded from January onwards, a promising improvement for tea production.
Major General Mohammad Ashraful Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Tea Board, revealed that there has been a remarkable increase of 5.9 million kilograms in tea production compared to the previous year. If this trend continues for another month or two, there is a strong possibility of a bumper tea crop this year.
AKM Rafiqul Haque, the Project Director of the Tea Board, highlighted the strengthened surveillance efforts in tea gardens to boost production. Furthermore, various incentives have been extended to garden authorities. This year, as the tea season draws to a close, the tea industry is witnessing exceptional production levels.
The future looks bright for Bangladesh’s tea industry, as it appears poised to set a new record in tea production, celebrating the resilience and dedication of all those involved in this vital sector.
Tea production in Bangladesh traces its origins back to 1843 when the first locally cultivated tea was crafted and sampled along the banks of the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong.
The commercial cultivation of tea commenced at the Mulnicherra Estate in Sylhet in 1857. Over time, the Surma River Valley within the Sylhet region emerged as the primary hub for tea cultivation in Eastern Bengal.
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