New machinery to boost tea production

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

Tea factories will be developed by purchasing new machinery to increase the productivity, said Minister of Plantation Industries D. M. Jayarathne. The Minister said, that specially, the Walahanduwa, Elpitiya, Kothmale and Passara tea factories will be provided with new machinery. Of the 13 tea factories belonging to 'Tea Shakthi Fund', 10 factories have recorded a profit of Rs. 74 million, during the past nine months.

He said that only three factories-Balangoda, Gilimale and Pansalthenne are unprofitable. "However, there are some leading tea factories which are earning higher profits, The Nawalapitiya factory earned Rs. 18 million, The Raigam Korale factory Rs. 12 million, Walahanduwa factory Rs. 10 million, Deniyaya factory Rs. 12 million and the Passara factory Rs. 10 million. The Minister said that most factories have exceeded their maximum production capacity of tea and the managements of these factories have made arrangements to ensure an adequate supply of green leaf to the factories.

The Minister also said, that he has informed the Ministry to appoint two extension officers of the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority to the unprofitable tea factories and to introduce a mechanism to minimise post harvest losses and to develop coordination between tea producers, the correct techniques of plucking, transportation and production of tea.

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