Tea Cultivation

Physical factors affecting:

• Areas with a temperature of 15.6 to 27 ( Celsius).
• 1900 mm throughout the year – 5460mm
• Slightly sloping ground.
• Loam and laterite soils.

Economic factors affecting Tea Cultivation

• Permanent staff.
• Transport facilities.
• Large capital.
• Foreign market.

Trends in Tea Cultivation

• High productivity in the small tea sector. Contributing 65% of the total tea production in the year 2005
• The Tendency to replant.
• Introduction of bud tea cultivation.
• Expansion of research activities.
• Establishment of the Tea Energy Fund
• Modernization of tea factories.
• Modernization of tea related exports.
• Privatization of tea lands.

Issues in Tea Cultivation :

• Increasing the input price.
• Threats from other substitute drinks. 
  • Drinks like Coca Cola
  • Coffee
• Competitiveness in the international market due to high production in other countries.
  • India
  • Tanzania
• The danger of new countries entering the world market.
  • Kenya
  • Uganda
  • Malawi
• Shortage of workers in the low country tea industry.
• Increased soil erosion in tea estates.
• Employee issues.

Steps to be taken to improve tea cultivation and production:

• Renovation and modernization of tea factories.
• Establishment of the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority and advising on small tea with a  30% subsidy on this tea. In addition, expansion of plant and fertilizer extension services.  
• Cultivation of new lands with foreign aid.
• Application to the Electrical Equipment Industry.
  • Electronic scales
  • Tea cleanser
• Modernization of tea packaging.
• Product diversification.
  • Instant tea
  • Vanilla tea
  • Green tea

Related Industries in Tea Cultivation:

• Instant tea
• Flavoured tea
• Green tea
• Pottery and Ceramics Tea powder
• Caffeine-free tea