TSHDA must help factories increase profits - DM

MINISTER of Plantation Industries D.M. Jayaratne said that out of 13 tea factories belonging to the Tea Sahkthi Fund, 10 showed a profit of Rs. 74 million. Only three factories, the Balangoda, Gilimale and Pansalthenne were unprofitable.

The Minister said it was pleasing to know that most of the factories had realised their potential with very satisfactory profits.

The Mahaweli Tea Factory at Nawalapitiya recorded a profit of Rs. 18 million, Raigam Korale Tea Factory - Rs. 12 million, Walahanduwa Tea Factory - 10 million, Deniyaya Tea Factory - 12 million and Passara Tea Factory - 10 million respectively.

The Managements of these respective factories have promised an adequate supply of green tea. The dedicated factory staff should also get the credit for this success as their hard work has paid dividends, the Minister said.

The Minister requested Plantations Industries Ministry Secretary to submit a report of unprofitable tea factories by appointing a committee.

He stated that two extension officers of Tea Small Holding Development Authority (TSHDA) must be attached to the unprofitable tea factories to introduce a mechanism to minimise post harvest losses and to develop co-ordination between tea producers and tea factories.

They must demonstrate to the smallscale tea producers the correct techniques of plucking, transportation and production of tea.

Necessary action for further development of profitable tea factories will also be taken by purchasing new machinery needed to increase productivity specially in the Walahanduwa. Elpitiya, Gilimale, Kothmale and Passara Tea Factories.

He suggested to distribute a share of higher profits earned by profitable tea factories among the management and factory staff in order to encourage them to achieve more profits.

A suitable mechanism will be introduced for this purpose. The requirement of reduction of factory staff and inadequate co-operation of factory staff in some factories were revealed at a meeting to review the progress of 13 tea factories under Tea Shakthi Fund.