The National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) has started research on production of Nepali variety of tea.
The center which is based at local Pakhribas municipality has initiated the research for developing a unique Nepali brand of tea that would stand out in the world tea market.
A separate office has been set up under NARC and research also started for this purpose, the Officiating Chief of the Office, Mahendra Prasad Yadav said.
According to him, the office has started the research along with testing the quality of orthodox tea by installing electronic dryer and rolling machine. It is said the research would lead to the development of Nepali tea of unique quality and brand.
The center plans to accomplish the research and take the unique brand of Nepali tea in the world market within the coming five years.
Yadav said seven scientists are carrying out research into orthodox tea at three places in Dhankuta and Ilam districts. The center has 16 posts of scientists. He added that the office has plan of starting research into the CTC tea produced in Jhapa and orthodox tea produced in other districts as well.
Tea is grown in 514 hectares of land in Dhankuta district. Besides this, commercial tea cultivation is done in a total 14,732 hectares in Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta and Tehrathum districts of east Nepal.
