INTRODUCTION

ntri.gif (9370 bytes)

INTRODUCTION

The major research thrust of the Institute is to develop tea production technology including the selection of suitable varieties, standardization of agronomic practices and processing techniques. The institute is also making efforts to extend tea production technology to the prospective farmers. The Institute has:

Total Area: 50 Acres
Tea Garden: 33
Tea Nursery: 10
Roads, Buildings, Processing Unit etc: 07

OBJECTIVES

Development and dissemination of appropriate production technology.

Surveying and identification of suitable tea growing areas.

Introduction and commercialization of tea in potential growing areas to save valuable foreign exchange.
Capacity building of the stakeholders in the cultivation, management and processing of tea.

To enhance the on-farm employment opportunities.

RESEARCH PRIORITIES

Evaluation and Selection of high yielding bushes and their multiplication.
Nutritional requirements
Plant protection
Weed management
Intercropping
Nursery management
Tea quality

ACHIEVEMENTS

Screening and Selection of tea bushes in the existing tea plantation
Out of 386 screened bushes 66 tea bushes were selected which gave the yield of 2.5-7.0 Kg/bush.
Selected 11 lines which more adoptable and high yielding under the climatic condition of Mansehra.

Effect on NPK on the yield of tea. The maximum yield of 10.3 ton/ha/annum green leaves was obtained with the application of 400-100-0 NPK Kg/ha/annum
Evaluation of Dithane M-45 as fungicide on tea cuttings.
The maximum survival and sprouting of tea cuttings in the nursery was obtained in the plots treated with 1.5% solution of Dithane.
Economic evaluation of Basamid Granules (soil sterilant) against soil born enemies of nursery seedlings.
The maximum %age of seed germination, shoot length and root length was obtained in the plots treated with 40g/m²

ONGOING RESEARCH STUDIES

· Selection and screening of 100 elite tea bushes (Qi-men variety) from mixed population for yield and nursery performance.

· Morphological characters of selected bushes planted in the field for further multiplication.

· To study the growth performance of tea seedlings as affected by different growing environments and colour of polythene tubes.

· Effect of different sources of nitrogenous fertilizer on the yield and growth of young tea plant.

To study the physico-chemical properties and nutrients status of NTRI soils.

To study the effect of Potassic fertilizer on the yield and growth of tea.

Effect of micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe) on tea plants.

Seed soaking in different concentration of EM media for early emergence.

Comparison of different weed control practices in newly planted tea.

To study the economics of vegetables intercropping system.

· To study the effect of different fermentation duration on the quality of caffeine in polyphenols.

Assessment of damage to tea nursery by cutworm & chemical control at NTRI.

ESTABLISHMENT OF TEA NURSERY

Established tea nurseries at i) Shinkiari, ii) Battagram and iii) Swat for transplantation in the potential tea growing areas.

Year-wise Nursery Plants Produced

Year	Plant Produced (Million)
1998-1999	0.243
1999-2000	0.280
2000-2001	0.310
2001-2002	0.055
2002-2003	0.820
2003-2004	1.000
2004-2005	0.900
2005-2006	0.800
Total	4.408

TEA PLANTATION

Established 525 acres tea plantation on farmer’s land in districts Mansehra, Battagram & Swat.

Year-wise Tea Cultivation (Acres)

Year	Mansehra	Oghi	Balakot	Battagram	Swat	Total
1999-00	-	-	-	08	10	18
2000-01	03	-	-	12	-	15
2001-02	12	23	27	14	17	93
2002-03	01	03	04	-	07	15
2003-04	10	08	-	40	38	96
2004-05	06	08	01	41	96	152
2005-06	-	01	-	40	95	136
Total	32	43	32	155	263	525

Plantation with Other Agencies

Year	Tepal	Sungi Found	FATA	Hazara Uni	AJK
2000-01	04	02	-	-	-
2001-02	07	02	-	-	-
2003-04	-	-	03	01	-
2004-05	-	-	04	02	02
Total	11	04	07	03	02
G. Total	27 Acres

TRAINING

1450 persons including progressive farmers, tea growers, extension workers and field staff of provincial Departments of Agriculture extension, research and forest were trained in nursery raising, tea cultivation & processing of black and green tea.

Arranged the seminars and workshops for the progressive farmers and tea growers at NTRI, Battagram and Swat.
Provided the technical assistance and plant material to Tea Development Cell (NWFP) for raising nursery and plantation at ARS, Baffa (Mansehra) and Mingora (Swat)

· Participated in the exhibitions arranged by different NGOs and Agric. Departts and briefed the participants regarding tea.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TEA EXTENTION AND THEIR PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

EXISTING LOANING POLICY

The amount currently available: Rs. 60,000/- per acre

Grace period (interest free): 04 years

Acreage limit for loaning: 02 acres

SUGGESTIONS

Proposed amount: Rs. 1,00,000/- per acre

Grace period (Interest free): 08 years

No acreage limit for loaning

Timely disbursement of loan

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS

Small land holding

Long gestation period

Labour intensive

SUGGESTIONS

Block plantation on the leased land through Govt. or private sector

Establishment of micro processing units

RRIGATION FACILITIES

Lack of improved irrigation system in the tea growing areas

SUGGESTION

Construction and improvement of water channels

Construction of small water tanks/reservoirs through

Water Management Department and other agencies.

CONSTRAINTS OF NTRI RESEARCH SYSTEM

Lack of well equipped laboratories

Lack of latest library

Lack of training opportunities

Shortage of technical manpower

SUGGESTIONS

Provision of above mentioned facilities.

INTRODUCTION OF TEA PLANT

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

Family: Camelliaceae

Evergreen, wildly grows into medium size tree, under cultivation it is pruned and trained as low spreading bush. Into medium size tree, under cultivation it is pruned and trained as low spreading bush.

HISTORY

Origin: China

Drink as a beverage: 7th century

Spread to Japan: 1000 AD

Europe: 17th century

Discovery of wild tea plants in Assam: 1823

Establishment of tea committee in India: 1834

Raising of nursery in Bot. Gardens Calcutta: 1835

Commercial cultivation in India: 1836

GROWTH REQUIREMENTS

Requires deep, well drained and acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.5)

Intermittent rainfall of 1000 mm or above per annum.

Optimum temperature: 12 ^oC - 30 ^oC

Altitude: Ranging from sea level to 2000 m

Relative Humidity: 60 – 80 %

SPECIAL FEATURES

Propagated both from seeds & cuttings.
Both green & black tea are processed from the same tea plants.
Has an economic productive life of 70-90 yrs.

Is non-palatable to animals.
Grows as evergreen bush or medium size tree.
Highly cross-pollinated and self sterile.
Flowers twice a year, once in March and then in Sept./Oct.

ATTRACTIONS

Excels major crops in net-income.

Labour intensive.

Makes wasteland productive.

Reduces environmental pollution.

Prevents soil erosion and siltation, thus increases life of dams/reservoirs.

Promotes stability of mountain eco-system.

Provides shelter for wildlife.

HEALTH IN A TEA CUP

Tea- a Common and cheap beverage
Makes the body active and lusty
Helps in curing the headache and stress fighting.
Removes the obstruction of spleen.
Good for the cleaning of kidneys and uriters.
Takes away the difficulty of breathing.
Eases brain and strengthen the memory.
Lowers the cholesterol level and the blood pressure.
Fill the teeth cavities.
Anti-cancer, anti-arthritis and good for diabetic.
Antioxidant- suppresses the aging.

Chemical Composition of Young Tea Shoot

Component	% dry weight
Polyphenols	30
Caffeine	3-4
Amino acids (theanine)	2.0
Carbohydrates	4.0
Protein	15
Ash	5.0
Cellulose	7.0
Lignin	6.0
Lipids	3.0
Volatile substances	0.01

Role in Economy

Per Capita Consumption/annum	01 KG
Imports (2004-2005)	127,000 M. TON
Cost	RS. 12.410 BILL

Country Wise Share in Tea Import

Country	Black Tea % age	Green Tea % age
Kenya	60.70	-
Indonesia	7.67	8.97
Bangladesh	5.35	5.10
Rwanda	5.00	-
India	3.50	-
Sri Lanka	3.17	-
China	0.96	42.00
Vietnam	-	43.11
Others	13.65	0.82

Year Wise Tea Import

Year