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Delay in implementation of tea rehabilitation project |
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December 4, 2000
Sylhet--(UNB)- Tea industry of the country has failed to achieve the desired level of development due mainly to delay in implementation of the tea rehabilitation project. The project was taken up to develop the tea industry at a cost of Tk 130 crore in fiscal 1980-81 for implementation in 10 years. Sources in the tea-growing zone said red-tapism was responsible for non-implementation of the project. According to official sources, out of a total 158 tea gardens of the country, condition of Sylhet’s gardens was better than those in Chittagong where no development efforts had been taken. Out of 25 tea gardens of Chittagong, 13 were identified as sick and five gardens declared abandoned. Tea, once a major exporting item, started losing its fame in the foreign market after the Liberation War due to various reasons including change of ownership. Official sources said the export earning from the sector was three percent in 1972-73, which was up to 7 percent in 1982-83 fiscal year. But the earning came down again to 3 percent in fiscal 1989-90 which is now only 0.9 percent. “If the situation does not improve, the country is likely to lose its tea export earning in next 10 years”, said a source on condition of anonymity. According to official estimate, 60 percent tea of the country are produced in Hobiganj district followed by 30 percent in Moulvibazar and five percent in each of Sylhet and Chittagong districts. |