Tea cultivation opens new prospects for Lalmonirhat: Dulu

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said on Saturday that tea cultivation has opened up new prospects for agriculture and the economy of Lalmonirhat.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme after visiting Soma Tea Garden, the first established tea garden in Lalmonirhat, in the Purba Bichnandai (Dauabari) area of Hatibandha upazila.
He said planned cultivation, modern farming practices, processing facilities and efficient marketing could turn the tea industry into a major source of employment, increase farmers’ incomes and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the region.
“The soil, topography and climate of Lalmonirhat are highly suitable for tea cultivation,” Dulu said.
He pointed out that tea cultivation had already expanded significantly across the plains of neighbouring Panchagarh and Thakurgaon, adding that Lalmonirhat could also develop tea into a strong and profitable agro-based industry by capitalising on its potential. The minister assured all possible government support for the development of the tea industry in the district.
“Tea is not merely an agricultural product. It can boost the rural economy, create new entrepreneurs and generate significant employment opportunities at the local level,” he said. He added that the industry could create opportunities for farmers, workers, entrepreneurs and people involved in transportation and marketing.
Alongside Panchagarh and Thakurgaon in Rangpur division, Lalmonirhat has recently emerged as a promising district for tea cultivation. According to information presented at the programme, tea gardens have so far been established on around 200 acres of land across five upazilas of the district, producing approximately 1,400 tonnes of tea leaves annually. A tea-processing facility, Soma and Soma Tea Processing Limited, has also been established through a joint initiative involving Bangladesh Bank and local tea garden owners to process locally produced tea leaves.
The facility is expected to create new opportunities for adding value to locally produced tea and expanding its market. Local lawmaker Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan, tea garden entrepreneur Shahan Ara Begum Soma, Ferdous Alam and other local dignitaries also spoke at the programme.