Tea production is boosting every year in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon districts bringing fortune to many farmers and creating jobs for the poor.
Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB) officials said, “Tea cultivation is expanding in Panchagarh and adjoining Thakurgaon, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts to change economy of the region.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina first launched tea cultivation in plain land of Panchagarh in 2000 and its production continues increasing since then, a senior scientific officer of BTB said.
BTB officials said `small-scale gardening basis' tea cultivation has been proved highly profitable in Panchagarh and its adjoining districts.
Currently, tea is being cultivated on 1,845 hectares of land in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon districts in nine tea estates and 15 gardens and vast lands of 280 small-scale farmers in addition to more 1,500 smaller gardens, reports BSS.
The companies are processing tea after producing green tea leaves in their gardens and as well as purchasing the same from farmers to produce 'made-tea' for selling at Chittagong Auction Market.
Over 3.20 million Kg made-tea was manufactured after processing over 14.5 million Kg green tea leaves produced in Panchagarh and Thakurgaon districts last year, the officials said.
Some of 2.52 million Kg made-tea was manufactured after processing 11.80 million Kg of green tea leaves in 2015 and 1.42 million Kg made-tea after processing 6.32 million kg green tea leaves in 2014 in Panchagarh alone.
Earlier, 1.45 million Kg made-tea was produced in 2013 against only 0.16 million Kg in 2005 when commercial basis cultivation began in Panchagarh.
