Organic Kangra tea will be grown over an area of 150 hectares by Himachal Pradesh’s agriculture university at Palampur, the heart of Kangra tea belt.
This was decided by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal in a meeting here recently with additional secretary, commerce Government of India A K Mangotra and top Tea Board officials.
“The state government was making an effort to popularise and patent Kangra tea amongst tea lovers for its quality flavour, besides promoting organic tea production.
“Around 7,700 hectares have been estimated by surveyors in all three districts which could develop into quality organic tea gardens,” said Dhumal.
“At present the state is producing 850,000 kg of tea every year. This can be raised to 2.5 million kg in the next few years,” he said.
The British began cultivation of the Kangra tea in 1,882 in and around the Palampur foothills in the Kangra valley region some 260-km from here.
The Kangra tea is known for its flavour rather than its weak colour.
It is grown in a pocket of 2,060 hectares in and around Palampur.
Its production is negligible though. But until a few years ago it was in demand by some drinkers in the country besides being very popular in neighbouring Afghanistan.
The production has dropped in recent years as far cheaper tea from other places in Asia is now available in the market.
