Success of tea-growing calls for concerted efforts

The government is making its utmost efforts for boosting production of tea. Teagrowing is a lucrative business. Cultivation acreage is extended every year. In Chin State, a hilly area in the west ofMyanmar, tea can be grown well as it is a fertile region for growing tea. The state has an
area of over 8.9 million acres. Only 500,000 acres of land have been put under crops and thus many acres are left to grow tea. Tea is widely grown in Shan and Chin States. Model plantations of tea are being established in Natyaykantaung region in Ngaphe Township in Minbu District and Mt Popa garden area in Kyaukpadaung Township. Natyaykantaung region in Ngaphe Township is a favourable region for growing tea. Tea can easily be transported to the markets in Pyay in Bago Division (West), Magway Division and Rakhine State. The government is making
arrangements for implementation of 2,000 acres of tea in 2009 under the supervision of the Ministry of Forestry after promoting investment opportunities to the private investors. Tea will be grown on every available land of Mt Popa garden area of Forest Department in Kyaukpadaung Township which has a favourable condition for tea. Growing of tea contributes towards not only increasing job opportunities but raising socio-economic life of the people in those regions.