Date:05/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090553391500.htm

National

India, Sri Lanka sign MoU on tea research

Sushanta Talukdar

GUWAHATI: The Tea Research Association (TRA), India, and Tea Research Institute (TRI), Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, entered into a research collaboration and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cement their ties.

The MoU was signed by TRA Chairman C. S. Bedi, and G. Jayawardane, Chairman, Tea Research Board, at Tocklai Experimental Station in Jorhat in the presence of Sri Lankan Minister (Plantation) D.M. Jayaratne.

The collaborative research areas will include plant breeding, studies on maximum residue level, biological control of pests, mechanisation of field and factory operations, development of chemical index for quality tea, development of water harvesting techniques and development of soil health.

Through this MoU the strengths of both the institutes would be fully exploited and scarce resource for research much better utilised by preventing duplication of research in common areas.

Beneficial MoU

A high-level delegation led by Mr. Jayaratne is on a visit to the Tocklai station. Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Lalith Hettiarachchi was among the team members.

Mr. Bedi said on the occasion that dividends from the MoU were expected by the centenary year of Tocklai in 2010.

Dr. Jayawardane said that the MoU would be beneficial for both the countries in the international scenario as India, being the largest black tea producer, and Sri Lanka, being the largest exporter of tea, could work and represent to international organisations.