Today is the first National Tea Day

News Desk: Today is National Tea Day. The day is being celebrated for the first time in the country. The celebration of the day has been organized by the Tea Board under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce. This information was given in an online press conference organized by Bangladesh Tea Board on Wednesday.

The theme of this year's Tea Day is 'Promise of Mujib Year, Expansion of Tea Industry'. On 4 June 1956, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the first Bengali to become the then Chairman of the Tea Board. It was decided to observe Tea Day on June 4 every year to commemorate Bangabandhu's contribution to the tea industry in Bangladesh during his tenure as Chairman of the Tea Board and after independence. It was informed at the press conference organized on the occasion of Tea Day that a discussion meeting and tea exhibition has been organized at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Friday morning. Besides, colorful programs have been organized in Chittagong, Sylhet and Panchagarh tea producing regions. In a message given on the occasion of the day, the President said. Abdul Hamid said, ‘The tea industry has been deeply involved with the history and heritage of Bangladesh for a long 180 years. Tea is inextricably linked with the social, cultural and daily life of the common people of the country. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first Bengali chairman of the Tea Board. He played an important role in the development of the tea industry during his tenure as the Chairman of the Tea Board from 4 June 1956 to 23 October 1956. He later made an outstanding contribution to the rehabilitation of the war-damaged tea industry after the country became independent. In this context, the initiative to celebrate the National Tea Day on June 4 carries special significance.

In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "Tea production in the country has increased by about 70 per cent in the last 10 years as a result of various developmental activities undertaken by the present Awami League government." Following this, in 2019, Bangladesh produced the highest amount of 98.08 million kg of tea. To bring back the old tradition of tea export, the government has emphasized on its production as well as marketing. As a result, by 2020, it has been possible to earn around Tk 35 crore by exporting tea to 19 countries. We have enacted the Tea Act 2018. ' Joining the online press conference, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said Bangabandhu has contributed a lot to the tea industry. As chairman of the Tea Board and after the War of Independence, he has taken strong steps to rehabilitate tea gardens. Guided by the invention of high yielding varieties, the Tea Industry Management Committee took steps to rehabilitate the ownerless and abandoned tea gardens after the War of Independence. Bangabandhu turned the tea research station into a full-fledged institute. He also ensured free accommodation, education and rations for the workers.

He further said that in continuation of this, the Prime Minister visited Panchagarh in 1996 and instructed to cultivate tea. The lives of poor people have been changed by cultivating tea there now. Commerce Secretary in response to a question from a journalist. Zafar Uddin said, tea drinking is increasing in the country. Even then, a recommendation to encourage tea exports has been sent to the finance department. Tea Board Chairman Major General. Zahirul Islam said the tea industry has come a long way in the 50 years of independence. So far 21 high yielding varieties of clones have been released. Two more clones of drought tolerant and improved yields will be released on Tea Day on Friday. He added that tea is being cultivated in 61,006 hectares of land in 16 gardens of the country.

Tea cultivation is on the rise in the plains in the north, where farmers own the land. Last year, 1 crore 3 lakh kg of tea was produced there. 25 thousand men and women have been employed. He hopes to meet the target of producing 12 crore kg of tea in 2025.