“Whatever type of tea industry would be established in Pakistan, it will be very successful and beneficial as tea is the requirement of every house. It is the beverage that people use daily,” said Pakistan Tea Association Chairman Aman Paracha.
Tea is a major import commodity and is draining out huge foreign exchange every year. “Approximately 250 million kg of tea is imported by Pakistan per year, which is equivalent to nearly $600 million. The number is still going up giving a signal that local tea production is fast becoming a matter of urgency,” Paracha said.
“As tea planting requires a special climate, we have suitable regions like Mansehra, Batagram and Malakand. There is too much land available in Mansehra where you can grow it.”
“The land there is very suitable for tea plantation. Along with this, if you move forward to Swat and ahead, there are more regions as well,” Paracha told the CEN.
According to the association’s survey, Pakistan currently has approximately 158,000 acres of land, which is suitable for tea planting. If forest area is included, tea can be produced on approximately 180,000 acres.
Paracha pointed out that the biggest hindrance to starting the tea industry is the requirement of big investment in both time and money at the beginning.
“Five years are required to get a new tea plant ready for production. Besides, Rs500,000 will be spent on each acre in this initial five years. As production time takes five years, local farmers step back to grow things that can pay back immediately. But after five years of planting tea, he can get more benefits as tea plants can continue yielding for the next 100 years.”
THE ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE CHINA ECONOMIC NET
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2022.
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