History of Ceylon Tea

The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera says that in addition to paddy cultivation and other additional crops in our country, the attention of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has been focused on the development of tea, coconut and rubber plantation crops.

Dr. Qu Donguyi the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, who came to the island yesterday (18) to attend the 37th Asia Pacific Summit. The group including Mr. Qu Donguyi observed the Athukorala Tea Factory and tea estate in Elpitiya and Agalawatta Rubber Research Institute yesterday.

The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera also joined this event. This observation tour was conducted as requested by the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera from the Director General of UNFAO.

The group first observed the tea products of Athukorala Estate Company and expressed their happiness regarding the great taste and quality of Sri Lankan tea.

Speaking to the media, the Minister said that the attention of the Director General has been focused on providing assistance to Sri Lanka's paddy and other crops as well as plantation crops such as tea, rubber and coconut.

Tapping of rubber by using the robotic machine which is to be introduced for the rubber tapping which is done traditionally was also demonstrated here. The Minister explained to the Director General that such mechanical methods are currently being tried as a remedy for the labor shortage in this industry.

Also, the people present were asked about the measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to promote tea, coconut and rubber cultivation. The minister replied that arrangements have been made to provide fertilizers for tea, coconut and rubber plantations at a subsidized price. He also mentioned that the fertilizers produced by the two government-owned fertilizer companies will be provided in this way.

However, the Director General, who expressed great interest in tea cultivation in Sri Lanka, highly appreciated many varieties of Sri Lankan tea as well as Kitul Hakuru.

The Minister said that all arrangements have been made for the success of the 37th Asia Pacific Regional Forum, which will begin tomorrow (20) under the chairmanship of the Honorable President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The minister stated that this is the only conference in this country that will be attended by the largest number of government representatives after the Easter attack, the Covid – 19 epidemic and the economic crisis.