Bright prospect for tea farming in Mymensingh

If thousands of hectares of fallow forest lands in the region are brought under tea cultivation, it will not only earn good foreign exchange but will also provide jobs for thousands of people in tea gardens, according to the sources.

A plan was undertaken by BTB for tea cultivation in the region two years ago, but it could not be materialised due to lack of fund.

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In 2002, there had been a plan for starting small holding tea cultivation in the border belts of greater Mymensingh region.

According to experts in BTB, soil and climatic condition in the border belts of Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur and Netrakona districts is suitable for tea cultivation. More than 15,000 hectares of land in the areas can be brought under tea cultivation, according to experts.

A team of BTB during a feasibility study also found that large number of 'indicator plants' locally called 'Nishi Gachh grows in the region naturally.The team also planted saplings of tea on the premises of Gajni resting centre and Jhenaighati Upazila Parishad in Sherpur district. The team had also plans to set up demonstration plots to draw attention of small and marginal farmers. BTB sent a proposal for introducing small holding tea cultivation in the region to the Ministry of Commerce for its approval. But BTB could not proceed further due to fund crisis.

Farmers in the border belts too showed their keen interest to start small holding tea cultivation because of its more profitability, according to sources in BTB.

A BTB official said to The Daily Star, 'We have written to the authorities concerned for releasing fund this month and if the fund is available we expect starting of the project shortly.'

For the purpose we have to build infrastructure, open an office and appoint staff without further delay, said the official.