The tea industry has expanded manifold in Panchagarh—the country's northernmost district—in the last 18 years, thanks to the efforts of the stakeholders.
Though tea cultivation and processing need a huge establishment—as seen in the hilly areas of Chittagong and Sylhet regions—Panchagarh has popularised it significantly and made it a domestic farming practice. Even common villagers are cultivating tea in their yards and small croplands.
Since 2005, tea production has increased by 400 times, earnings by 233 times, small gardens by 49 times, employment by 14 times, cultivable land by 13 times, and the number of large gardens by nine times.
Considering the expansion in Panchagarh, and some parts of Thakurgaon and other northern districts, the government has planned to set up a tea auction centre in Panchagarh -- the third of its kind after Chittagong and Sylhet's Srimangal.
Dhaka TribuneWhile visiting different areas of Panchagarh recently, this correspondent observed lots of small tea gardens beside the road between Tetulia and Banglabanda Land Port.
Geographically, Panchagarh is the highest district in Bangladesh, situated 150 feet (46m) above sea level. Its soil composition is also distinct with rich sand and stones, which iare conducive to tea plantation.
Across the border, some Indian districts like Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri are also famous for tea farming.
Tea becomes a common crop
Kuddus Mia is a resident of Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh. He has around one acre of land beside his house, on which he has been cultivating tea there since 2013.
“My son and daughters and I used to work in our tea garden. Our family members used to pick tea leaves regularly. We usually do not need workers or labourers most of the time. It's a kind of family tea gardening,” Kuddus said.
Mamtaz Begum, another small tea harvester, said: “Previously, we used to grow paddy on the land beside our house, but now we are cultivating tea.
“I am getting more economic benefits from tea now. I and other small tea gardeners sell tea leaves to our nearby tea factories,” she added.
Currently, there are at least 8,355 small tea gardens in Panchagarh, up from 172 in 2005, according to the Deputy Commissioner's office.
History of tea cultivation in Panchagarh
Commercial tea gardening in the plain lands of Panchagarh started after 1996. It was a dream of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, then in her first term in office.
While speaking at the Tea Expo in 2018, Sheikh Hasina mentioned the history of the tea garden in Panchagarh, saying: “After the Awami League came to power in 1996, when I went to Banglabandha in Tentulia Upazila of Panchagarh, I saw a lot of tea gardens on the other side of the border, in India. But there was no tea garden in Bangladesh. I said that since we have the same soil, we can also cultivate here. Then I told the DC of Panchagarh to bring a sapling from there and plant it here, and see if it grows in our soil.”
Dhaka TribuneShe thanked the then deputy commissioner for the initiative based on her suggestion. The Indian authorities gave a sapling and the DC planted it in his bungalow. “Later, the DC brought the seedling to me in a tub and showed that it is possible to produce tea in our soil. Only then we took the initiative to start tea gardens,” the prime minister added.
Kazi & Kazi Tea Estate (KKTE) was the first local company to set up a tea garden at Tetulia in Panchagarh. Over the years, it has earned a reputation in both national and international markets by producing and processing organic tea and earning foreign exchange.
Mentioning the name of the founder of the company, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also said: “There were some limitations in starting tea cultivation with a government initiative. Then I discussed it with private sector people. Kazi Shahed Ahmed used to do business in that area. I told him that instead of making bricks and cement pillars, he should start a tea plantation. When he sought the government's cooperation, I assured him of all the opportunities. Now tea is everywhere. Today, we can see that Panchagarh tea is also available in England.”
Later, eight other large tea gardens were established in Panchagarh.
In the last fiscal year, tea was cultivated on some 12,079 acres of land in Panchagarh district and 1,457 acres in Thakurgaon. In 2005-06, the land area was 925 acres in Panchagarh. At the time, there was no tea garden in Thakurgaon.
Third tea auction centre
While talking to Dhaka Tribune, Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner M Jahurul Islam said: “Within one month, we will get the third tea auction centre here. Not only will the tea gardeners of Panchagarh benefit, but it will be beneficial also for those in Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari and other nearby districts.”
The authorities concerned have already completed preparations in this regard, he said.
“During the last 14 years, there has been a drastic change in the quality of life of tea plantation workers in Panchagarh district,” he added.
Income from tea sales in Panchagarh, which amounted to Tk1.2 crore in the 2005-06 fiscal year, stood at Tk280 crore in FY2022-23.
