Tea industry needs critical review for practical solutions

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The current challenges faced by the tea industry in the country need critical review for practical solutions. Madulsima Plantation Chairman D.H.S Jayawardena said releasing its annual report 2012 recently.

He said the challenges relate to human development, environmental changes, rising production costs, skilled worker deficits and volatile global markets and the crisis calls for a more supportive role from the state and the stakeholder. A long term commitment for the development of the industry with short and long term funding would be a prerequisite to implement accelerated development programs.

Jayawardena said the industry needs to improve land and labour productivity. Land use diversification into areas such as forestry management plans and rights to harvest in accordance with an approved plan.

He said the work norms are crucial for sustainability and provide a key interdependent relationship for progress. If the workers are to consider themselves as seed carriers of a better future they need to demonstrate practical abilities to keep moving in the right direction supporting the management for greater collaboration and positive results.

As the year 2012 is extremely challenging projections should be cautiously optimistic as prospects would largely depend on global trends.

However, challenges equally offer opportunities if a positive stance is adopted collectively and make a commitment to competitiveness in cost and quality, he said.

Meanwhile, the Madulsima Plantation incurred a loss of Rs. 23.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2011 compared with a loss of Rs. 41.9 million in 2010 and there was no dividends recommended to shareholders for the tenth consecutive year.