The file photo shows a woman worker plucks tea leaves at a tea garden. Bangladesh Tea Board has embarked on tea cultivation in Lalmonirhat, a non-tea growing district, with the funding from Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB). But the cultivation is yet to take off.

Tea cultivation is yet to take off in Lalmonirhat district under a tea farming expansion project, although the cultivation was due to start in June last year.
Bangladesh Tea Board embarked on tea cultivation in Lalmonirhat, a non-tea growing district, with the funding from Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB), which is yet to disburse Tk 1.15 crore loans among farmers.
When contacted, Deputy General Manager of RAKUB of Lalmonirhat Mozammel Huq said, "The farmers enquire about loans quite regularly. But we are yet to get any circular regarding tea cultivation loan in the district."
"I know a memorandum of understanding between RAKUB and Bangladesh Tea Board will be signed. RAKUB will begin disbursing tea cultivation loan only when the MoU is signed," he added.
Sources close to tea board of Lalmonirhat said some 150 farmers in the district have been waiting for funds from RAKUB for about one year to start tea cultivation. Tea board selected the farmers.
A farmer of the district, Abdul Jabbar, said since tea cultivation requires a large amount of investment, the farmers need financial assistance.
Higher Development Officer of Bangladesh Tea Board of Lalmonirhat AKM Shahidullah said initially 103 hectares of land in three upazilas of the district have been selected for tea cultivation.
Bangladesh Tea Board conducted the feasibility of tea cultivation in Lalmonirhat district in 2005 and 2006. The board found the climate and soil of the district are suitable for tea cultivation.
The board found more than 6000 hectares of land of Adiditmari, Hatibandha, and Lalmonirhat sader upazilas can be brought under tea cultivation.