The Himachal Pradesh Government has launched an ambitious plan to double tea production in the next five years from 10,01,419 kg during 2021-22 to 20,00,000 kg by 2026-27, said Agriculture Minister Virender Kanwar here yesterday.

At present tea is being cultivated in 2310.71 hectares of areas in the lower slopes of Dhauladhar mountains in Dharamsala, Shahpur, Nagrota Bagwan, Palampur, Jaisinghpur, Baijnath and Jogindernagar. An additional area of 5.6 hectares was brought under fresh plantation during the year 2021-22 and a target has been fixed to bring additional 100 hectares area under commercial tea cultivation in the coming five years.

CSK Agriculture University, Palampur, has planted 800 tea saplings in Krishi Vigyan Kendras/research stations at Malan, Kangra, Bara, Berthin, Sundernagar, Bajaura and Dhaula Kuan to access the scope of tea cultivation in non-traditional areas of the state.

Orchard integration of tea is also being explored for doubling farmers’ income and offsetting area loss. The tea industry has contributed around Rs 20 crores to the economy of Himachal Pradesh during the last financial year providing direct and indirect employment to around 5,000 people in the state.