Irregular power supply damages tea worth millions in Ilam

By Kokila Dhakal,Ilam, Apr. 8: Ilam-based Jasbire Tea Industry’s first lot of tea got damaged because of fluctuating power supply. Due to the power supply outage in the industry for two days, the tea could not be processed, leaving the tea meant for export to China being damaged and the industry suffering losses amounting to millions of rupees. 

About 12 industries of Maipokhari area of Ilam, which started processing tea on March 31 this year, had to face the same situation as the Jasbire Tea Industry. The tea processing started for golden pearl and golden tea could not be made into that kind of ‘special tea’. 

Sharad Subba, owner of Jasbire Tea Processing Industry, said they faced a loss after green leaves that make quality tea with two leaves and one needle and only one needle were destroyed at the beginning of processing for this year.

“Without electricity, quality tea cannot be produced. Therefore, we repeatedly requested the Nepal Electricity Authority of Ilam to supply regular electricity in this area. The Authority did not solve the problem.’’ Subba said, “We started processing tea from March 31 this year. 

Electricity did not regularise until after two days. The tea that was picked and put in the trough was all spoiled. After that, we had to appeal to the Chief District Officer in an effort to solve the problem.” First flush tea is considered to be of good quality throughout the year and suitable for sale in international markets.

“We had to bear a loss totaling millions of rupees after the first lot of tea got damaged at the beginning,” he said. This loss is borne not only by the industry but also by the farmers, he said. According to Subba, when the electricity supply is stopped for one day, the resulting damage in monetary value is the same as total monthly electricity consumption. 

Other industries, including Sandakphu Tea Processing Private Limited and Farmer Tea Processing Private Limited faced the same problem.The problem this year is the mere continuation from the years before. 

According to the industrialists, farmers and industry have to bear a huge loss from tea this year as the Authority has not paid attention to regularise the electricity supply in this area.

The tea industry has also submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Officer mentioning the huge damage because of interrupted electricity supply.

Receiving the memorandum from the traders, Chief District Officer Shrawan Kumar Pokhrel expressed his commitment to taking initiatives to solve the problem by coordinating with the Nepal Electricity Authority.

The pure organic tea processed in these industries is exported to China, Japan, Germany, Russia, America and other countries. Various varieties of tea such as golden, golden pearl, silver tea and green tea are produced in these factories.