Govt decides on steps to boost tea production

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An inter-ministerial meeting Tuesday decided to take steps for more production of tea to meet the soaring demand at home and increase export earnings from the sector, reports UNB. brThe meeting at the Ministry of Commerce asked relevant departments to take some measures that would help the sector grow under the renewed plan, a government statement said.brThe meeting, chaired by Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, requested the Ministry of Land to convene a meeting taking deputy commissioners of five tea producing districts into the fold to remove obstacles to lease agreement renewal of tea gardens before the Eid-ul Fitr.brThe meeting also ruled the previous lease agreements that have already expired will remain valid until new contracts are in place. brIt also asked authorities concerned to ensure smooth and timely supply of fertilizer to the gardens through the Bangladesh Tea Board in two installments between May and December.brSteps would be taken by the Energy Ministry to ensure electricity supply to 30 gardens, which now operate without power, according to the meeting decisions. brMeanwhile, the high-profile meeting also drew attention of the Ministry of Food to see if food supply is possible for the tea garden workers. brIt also sought intervention of the Water Development Board for irrigation facilities during the dry season. brTo meet the growing demand, Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) has been tasked with invention of high-yielding variety of tea, according to the meeting details.brIn 2007-8 fiscal year, the country surpassed the annual target by producing 58.42 million kg tea. The target was 58 million kg. brAgriculture Adviser CS Karim, commerce secretary Firoz Ahmed, power secretary M Faozul Kabir Khan, Bangladesh Tea Board chairman Brig Gen Mosarraf Hossain, Water Development Board chief engineer Shamsul Alam Talukdar, Bangladesh Tea Association's former chairman Safwan Chowdhury and senior officials of various ministries also attended the meeting.br