Kathmandu, April 28

The 22nd National Tea Day was observed today across the country with a message to preserve and develop the tea industry for prosperity of the nation. Speaking at an event organised by the National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB) to celebrate the occasion, Agriculture Minister Chakrapani Khanal, stressed on bringing new policies and programmes for the development of the tea industry.

“We have realised the need to amend a few policies related to the industry and we are working on it,” Khanal said, ensuring that the ministry will always be committed to expanding the industry.

He also said that the ministry is preparing to bring separate programmes and budget for the tea industry.

Similarly, addressing the issues of tea industry workers, the minister assured he would help resolve issues pertaining to their wages and other facilities.

Minister Khanal further said that it is difficult for the Agriculture Ministry to work alone to enhance the tea industry.

“Agriculture Ministry alone is unable to work for the development of the tea industry. We have to collaborate with the Finance Ministry and Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to commercialise and market Nepali tea,” he added. “Nepali tea has a huge demand in the international market.”

As per NTCDB, the country has been exporting tea worth over Rs three billion annually. Tea worth Rs 3.25 billion was exported in the last fiscal year. Around 24,804 tonnes of tea was produced across 28,595 hectares of land across the country in the last fiscal.

The country produces 24 million kg of instant tea annually. Of this total, 18.8 million kg is CTC while 5.9 million is orthodox tea. The tea industry has generated direct employment for around 60,000 people across the country.

Currently, there are 131 tea factories in 14 districts across the country. Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta and Terathum have been declared as tea zones.

As per the board, India, Russia, Germany, China and the United Arab Emirates are the top five importers of Nepali tea, while Germany, India, USA, France and Japan are the top importers of Nepali green tea.