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Tea output misses target slightly in 2007

Iqbal Siddiquee, Sylhet
The country's tea production missed the target slightly in 2007 as tiie output of the crop reached 56 million kg against the target of 60 million kg.
Tea garden sources said fertiliser supply crisis during the peak season was behind the production shortage.
Md Shahjahan, manager of state run Somonbhag Tea Estate, said most tea producing regions had better rains last year compared to the previous year.
Moreover, the distribution of rainfall was also good during the tea season in 2007 and the gardens experienced favourable temperature and sunshine, which are very important factors for the sensitive crop, Shahjahan added.
But the delayed supply of fertiliser to the gardens was a major setback, said an official of a private garden.
Fertilisation is a regular practice for tea gardeners but the fertilisation was inadequate last year due to fertiliser crisis, the official added.
But in north Sylhet valley, where some 20 tea gardens are located, the situation was a little different. Zafar Ullah Hali, manager of Malnichhera Tea Estate, said tea gardens in the valley suffered bad weather besides the fertiliser crisis.
There was no rainfall in the valley in March-April period, playing havoc with the crop, he added.
Anwar Hossain, acting manager of Luckatoora Tea Estate in Sylhet, also blamed less rainfalls and fertiliser crisis for the production shortage.
In 2006, Bangladesh's total tea production stood at 53.27 million kg, which was about 7 million kg
behind the year's target.
In 2005, the country's tea production hit 60.14 million kg. thanks to favourable weather condition. In 2004, tea production was 55.62 million kg, while in 2003 it was 58.29 million kg.
Bangladesh has 160 tea estates, which produce 55 million kg to 60 million kg tea annually. Roughly two thirds of the produce is consumed locally, while the rest of the amount is exported.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh earned US $ 6.94 million from tea export in 2006-07 fiscal year.