Ilam, May 31

A study of tea farming has started with the target of completing the study in one year.

The Central Bureau of Statistics with aid from the National Planning Commission started the survey from Fikkal, home to tea farming in eastern Ilam.

As part of this drive, the Bureau has started discussions with tea entrepreneurs, farmers, cooperatives and technicians in the locality in this regard.

Likewise, details of the classification of Nepali tea, the occupancy of tea farming and loan and subsidy provided for cultivating tea will also be collected.

The study will include impacts of the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the situation of employment and the market, sale value and export and import, said Director of the Bureau Badri Bahadur Karki.

Tea is one of Nepal’s products that is exported. According to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, Nepal exported tea worth Rs 2 billion in 2014/15. Production was recorded at 23,186 tonnes.