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Pakistanis are very much fond of drinking tea. It is almost like a national drink in the country. Most people consume tea twice a day, and for some it could even exceed this amount. Pakistan is the second largest importer of tea after United Kingdom. Considering this fact, it is really good news that Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has developed latest technology and processing units for tea production in the country.
For the year 2010-2011, Pakistan imported around 127,316 metric tons of black tea which had cost $301 million and around 3,322 metric tons of green tea which had cost $4.25 million. Due to this latest technology, these costly bills could be saved. A top official from PARC believes that with proper management, capacity building and investment in this sector, Pakistan could become self-sufficient in tea production.
The taste of Pakistani tea is considered delicious and if more concentration is given to this matter, Pakistan could even become an exporter. The private sector has to play its part in developing the tea industry further. The PARC is supporting local farmers for better tea production and is also facilitating university students for their PhDs in this field.
The PARC’s National Tea Research Institute (NTRI) is following up on the matter in its own capacity, but requires government’s cooperation in funding to make its efforts successful. Pakistan’s main income comes from agricultural products. Hence, tea production should be given its due value.
