Establishment of commercial tea plantation in Azad Kashmir
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan meets all its tea requirements through imports to the tune of Rs. 16 billion per annum and is the second largest importer of tea after the United Kingdom.

Keeping in view the economic importance of this vital commodity, self-indigenization from cultivation to the marketing of its production is a prerequisite to become self-reliant.

This will also save foreign exchange and boost the country economically. Tea is the third highest item on our import bill after petroleum and edible oil. Establishment of Tea Plantation is the first step towards self reliance in Tea.

This was stated by Dr. Farid A. Malik, Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation, while making his inaugural remarks on the occasion of MoU signing ceremony amongst Pakistan Science Foundation, ‘Govt. of AJ&K, Qarshi Foundation and HRHHJ Group for the 'Establishment of Tea Plantation in AJ&K'.

Prime Minister of AJ&K, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, Dr. Farid A. Malik, Chairman, PSF, and representatives of Qarshi Foundation, HRHHJ Group & Khuwaja Food represented their respective Government/organizations at the MoU signing ceremony.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Information and Broadcast was the Chief Guest at the occasion. The ceremony was attended by renowned scientists, technocrats, parliamentarians, and representatives of public and private sector.

Dr. Farid A. Malik highlighted the initiatives taken by Pakistan Science Foundation and stated that PSF is actively promoting the concept of Applied Research under its Industrial Linkage Programme.

The Government of AJ&K has shown interest in cultivation of tea over an area of its territory having suitable geographical location, soil texture, climate and environmental conditions with potential to become major tea growing region in the area. He also appreciated the keen interest shown by the private sector in this regard.

Dr. Malik said that PSF has taken initiative and sponsored a survey, which was jointly conducted by the experts of (National Tea Research Institute) and University of AJ&K under the title “Application of Tea Technology in Azad Kashmir.”

In the light of encouraging results of the survey, PSF approached private sector/entrepreneurs for cultivation of tea in AJ&K. PSF as a coordinator approached and invited Qarshi Foundation and HRHHJ Group to venture cultivation of tea in the identified areas of AJ&K. The Pakistan Science Foundation will coordinate and facilitate these trilateral MoUs

Prime Minister of AJ&K, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, in his address appreciated the efforts of PSF in promoting economic benefits by commercialization of scientific research. He assured full support and help by Govt. of AJ&K.●