M. Muslim Chowdhury, Srimangal (Moulvibazar) Representative //

Last year production exceeded the target level but this year tea production has declined. So many workers and plantation owners laugh. This year the target of tea has been fixed at 10 crore 80 lakh kg. But due to floods, drought, high temperature and heavy rains, even at the very end of the production season, the desired yield of tea was not obtained. Due to the non-fulfillment of production targets in tea gardens this year, those involved in this industry are facing losses in various ways. Tea garden is a part of history and tradition of 150 years wrapped in the green sheet of nature. Out of 168 tea gardens in the country, 92 are located in Moulvibazar district. I just want to look at the high, low and parallel land where the eye can see. The beautiful view is enjoyed by the tea plantations and lakhs of tea workers involved in the tea industry. Meanwhile, in the last part of this year, doubts have arisen about meeting the target of tea production in the country.

Meanwhile, the necessary rainfall and tolerable temperature are the main driving force of tea production. Rainfall is a boon for the tea industry, mostly coming in early or late March every year after the harshness and dryness of winter. But this year (year 2024) due to lack of rain at the beginning of tea production, the country’s tea industry is facing severe drought. In the following May and June there was some isolated rain, but it did not last long. GM of James Finlay Tea Company Golam Mohammad Shibli said that there has been a decline in tea production. Bangladesh Tea Workers Union Central Committee Organizing Secretary Vijay Hazra said, the main driving force of tea plantations are millions of workers. Most of them are women. As a result, they get sunburned and wet with rain and pick up tea leaves. However, their lives are always neglected. Even if the production is good, they still have a smile on their face. Even if the production is not good, it sustains their livelihood. As a result, the workers are also disappointed because of the low production this year. Auction bidder and tea trader Piyush Kanti Dutta said that although there are two and a half months left of the tea production season, there is no possibility of meeting the target set by the Tea Board this year due to the environmental situation. Along with this, the tea garden owners are not getting the right price for the tea in the auction due to the deterioration of the quality of the tea. And those who can maintain the quality of tea, their tea is being sold in the market at Tk 320 per kg. And if the target is not achieved, the price of all tea in the market will increase. Chairman of Mohsin Tea Holding. Mohsin Mia Madhu said that the price of tea is not good at the auction. However, due to double the production cost of tea, the plantation owners are facing losses in various ways. Traders were also disappointed as tea prices did not meet expectations in the second tea auction market at Srimangal. According to the information provided by the Bangladesh Tea Board, the current year’s target is 10 million 80 million kg. But it is not possible to reach the target due to various reasons including hostile weather, unstable environment of the country. On the other hand, 4 crore 95 lakh 30 thousand kg of tea has been produced till September this year, despite various enemies and adversities. But last year (2023) the production of tea was 5 crore 47 lakh kg. So far this year, 51 lakh 70 thousand kg of tea leaves have been produced less than last year. Last year (2023) production of tea was 10 crore 29 lakh kg. The production of 9 lakh kg of tea leaves is more than the target level.