Dhaka, 25 November 2002
UNB, Rangamati
Bangladesh Tea Board is contemplating to expand tea gardens in the fallow but fertile land of the Chittagong hill tracts region.
According to agriculturists and BTB officials, tea garden expansion can be possible
on about 50,000 hectares land in the region.
BTB has already completed the preliminary work after conducting soil test by
the experts as part of its countrywide tea garden expansion programme.
The aims of the programme are to meet the growing local demand and enhance its
export market to earn foreign currency.
BTB hoped that the country's tea production could be doubled by setting up small-scale
tea gardens in the CHT region, which would also create employment opportunities
for over one-lakh families.
BTB sources said that high-level board officials have already exchanged views
with the local public representatives and government officials to make the initiative
a success.