Ilam, July 15: It has been 160 years since tea planting began in Nepal. Tea cultivation, which began in Ilam in 1863, has now expanded to over a dozen districts across the country.
Nepali tea, which is becoming a popular export item, has also started contributing to foreign exchange earnings. Tea traders note that the foreign market for Nepali tea has improved since receiving a ‘gold medal’ at a tea exhibition held in China last year. However, satisfying the taste of customers ultimately rests in the hands of tea producers.
Nepali tea has until recently been prepared based on knowledge acquired from India and other countries. Sharad Subba, the owner and technician of Jasbire Tea Industry in Ilam, who produces various flavors of tea such as golden, golden pearl, oolong, white, among others, mentioned that Nepali tea was made in all industries based on techniques learned abroad.
“Most Nepali industries have learned tea production techniques from Indian experts,” he said. “I heard that a technical education programme on tea will be initiated in Ilam this year.”
According to Subba, the process of producing quality tea, from carefully selecting green leaves to proper drying and temperature control, is quite extensive.
Although it has been 160 years since tea plantation began in Nepal, formal education on tea is about to commence in Ilam just this year. Ratna Kumar Bantawa Polytechnic Institute (RKBPI) in Sankhejung, Ilam, has made preparations to offer tea technology-related education starting this year.
The two-year tea technology course has already received approval. The Curriculum Development and Standardisation Division formulated the tea curriculum, which has been approved by the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training.
Deepak Khanal, the head of RKBPI, said, “We are now prepared to begin classes once we receive the official letter. In this course, students will spend the first three months studying in the classroom and the rest conducting practical classes in tea industries.”
Khanal mentioned that the goal was to enroll students who recently completed their Secondary Education Examination (SEE). He also mentioned that the course would include 20 to 40 students. Currently, there is no dedicated course for tea cultivation in the country. By producing skilled professionals in this sector, they can contribute to the tea industry in Nepal.
The Ministry of Social Development in Koshi Province has provided financial assistance to support the course. As long as there is funding from the ministry, students enrolled in the programme will not need to pay tuition fees.