Tea plantations in Shan State: Aiming for the increased yield of tea for exports

There are more than 17,000 acres of tea plantations in Shan State, and locally produced tea and related products are being exported to Germany and the United States by Tea Associations.

Most tea farmers apply traditional cultivation and processing methods in tea-farming areas for the increased yield of tea. So as a result, tea can be plucked 3 times a month from March to November. According to a tea farmer from PinLaung region, the price rate of tea is around 6,000 MMK.

Fresh tea leaves from PinLaung region are being exported to the United States. Market demand and technology are needed to improve the tea industry. In undertaking the tea cultivation, plucking, transportation and storage, there is a need to have balanced works between the farmers, processors and distributors of tea.

At present, the knowledge sharing sessions such as cultivation practices, plucking standards, processing methods and hygiene practices are offered practically to the farmers and also awareness training and seminars are being held.

Regarding with dried and pickled teas, efforts are being made to get the international recognition export certificates such as HAACP, ISO, FDA, USDA and both the entrepreneurs and tea factory need to understand about cultivation practices and technology.