KATHMANDU: The Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has announced plans to provide technical support to the Tea Testing and Promotion Centre in Kanyam, Ilam. This center, jointly funded by the Suryodaya Municipality and the Koshi Province, required an investment of Rs. 230 million for its construction. While the Koshi Province contributed 80 percent of the budget, the Suryodaya Municipality provided the remaining 20 percent. Despite the completion of construction, the center lacks essential equipment and skilled technicians to commence operations.

NAST has been actively involved in studying the technical aspects of tea and other crops since establishing its regional office in Dharan, Sunsari. In collaboration with the Suryodaya Municipality and local tea farmers, NAST organized a meeting to address the technical requirements of the Tea Testing and Promotion Centre. Dr. Dilip Subba, Vice-Chancellor of NAST, affirmed that the institution would supply the necessary technical expertise once the required testing equipment is made available.

The initiative led by NAST aims to identify and rectify the shortcomings within the Nepali tea industry. During discussions facilitated by NAST, tea producers and farmers highlighted various issues concerning tea cultivation and other agricultural practices. Emphasizing the need for organic certification and soil testing, industry representatives stressed the importance of showcasing Nepali tea to international buyers. However, challenges persist due to the lack of policies and support from provincial and federal governments.

To address the operational needs of the Tea Testing and Promotion Centre, technicians have highlighted the necessity of equipment such as sampling utensils and tea weighing machines. Tea producers in the Suryodaya Municipality have advocated for the establishment of a dedicated Tea Testing and Tea Auction Centre, given the municipality's significant contribution to orthodox tea production in Nepal. The tea sector in Nepal continues to expand, with statistics from the Nepal Tea and Coffee Development Board indicating substantial growth in tea cultivation and export, primarily to India.