CHAPTER-II (part-II)

 

25.1. Land Lease Criteria :

A = 75% of cultivable area under cultivation plus extension @ 2.5 % per year.
B = 65% of cultivable area under cultivation plus extension @ 2.5 % per year.
C = 50% of cultivable area under cultivation plus extension @ 2.5 % per year.
Of the above three criteria each estate is to fulfill at least any two.

The above decision(a. lease period 40 years,b.30years,c.20years.) was taken at a joint meeting held in the MOC on 13-09-2001 under the co-chairmanship of the secretary, MOC and the secretary, MOL of the govt. in the ministry of land. In this regard the govt. had issued a notification no Ftgt / kv-8 / Lv rev / pvo6 / 2001 / 743 dated 9th Dec, 2001 Published in the Bangladesh gazette of 12th Dec 2001.

BCS had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce for modification of Ministry of land notification dated 09-12-01 refixing lease period at 70 years, 50 years and 35 years for A, B and C category gardens respectively in place of 40 years, 30 years and 20 years. The Ministry of commerce forwarded their proposal with recommendation to the M/O land. Again it has become as unsettled issue and previous decision of the Government will remain in force.

It may be pointed out that few tea garden had completed the land lease deed for 99 years during 1965 to 1974 before the govt. new policy.

The list of present position of land base deed of tea estates is as follows:

Table no- 2.1:
Position of Land Lease Deed of Tea Estates:

 

Sl.No	Name of the Tea Estate	Period of Land Lease	Date of Land Lease Deed completed w.e. from
	Aasia	99 years	Not Known
	Atiabagh	99 years	05-04-1965
	Bilashcherra (BTRI Expt. Firm)	99 years	04-04-1774
	Jangalbari	99 years	31-11-1965
	Kajyacherra-Dallu	99 years	11-03-1972
	Nahar	99 years	08-07-1966
	Naseha	99 years	24-09-1970
	New Dantamara	99 years	25-08-1970
	Panchabati	99 years	11-03-1972
	Saif	99 years	28-06-1965
	The following Tea Estates’ Lease Period is 35 years
	Afifanagar	35 years	31-12-1989
	Alibahar	35 years	Not Known
	Allynugar	35 years	07-04-1988
	Ameenabad	35 years	Not Known
	Amo	35 years	07-07-1988
	Amrail	35 years	11-02-1991
	Baikunthapur	35 years	14-02-1985
	Balisera	35 years	18-04-1993
	Baraoora	35 years	18-04-1993
	Brindabon-	35 years	14-07-1985
	Chaklapunji	35 years	14-07-1985
	Champarai	35 years	11-02-1991
	Chandbagh	35 years	07-04-1991
	Chandpore	35 years	18-09-1988
	ChandporBelgaon	35 years	27-04-1998
	Chatlapore	35 years	14-03-1988
	Chundicherra	35 years	19-03-1988
	Clevedon	35 years	11-08-1993
	Clonal	35 years	14-03-1988
	Daragaon	35 years	15-03-1988
	Deanston	35 years	15-03-1988
	Deundi	35 years	07-04-1988
	Dhamai	35 years	14-03-1988
	Dilkusha	35 years	28-12-1989
25	Dinarpore	35 years	11-02-1991
26	Doloi	35 years	21-03-1988

 

27	Etah	35 years	15-03-1988
28	Ghazipore	35 years	27-06-1988
29	Habibnagar	35 years	31-12-1989
30	Hamidia	35 years	10-05-1990
31	Hazinagar	35 years	07-04-1988
32	Hossainabad	35 years	07-04-1988
33	Jagadishpur	35 years	19-03-1988
34	Julekhanagar	35 years	14-03-1988
35	Kaliti	35 years	19-07-1988
36	Kapnapahar	35 years	14-03-1994
37	Karimpore	35 years	15-03-1988
38	Kurmah	35 years	14-03-1988
39	Lackatoora	35 years	01-09-1988
40	Lalchand	35 years	14-03-1988
41	Lallakhal	35 years	31-12-1989
42	Lungla	35 years	15-03-1988
43	Luskerpore	35 years	14-03-1988
44	Maa-Jaan	35 years	01-04-1997
45	Madabpore	35 years	Not Known
46	Madanmohanpur	35 years	14-03-1988
47	Madhupur	35 years	15-01-1991
48	Malnicherra	35 years	18-08-1988
49	Marina	35 years	14-03-1988
50	Mazdehee	35 years	14-03-1988
51	Mertinga	35 years	Not Known
52	Mirzapore	35 years	27-06-1988
53	Monipur	35 years	10-02-1992
54	Nalua	35 years	27-11-1995
55	Nayapara	35 years	16-09-1990
56	New Samnbagh	35 years	11-02-1991
57	Nurjahan	35 years	07-04-1988
58	Patrakhola	35 years	14-03-1988
59	Phooltullah	35 years	14-03-1988
60	Phulbari	35 years	Not Known
61	Remnagar	35 years	14-03-1988
62	Rajghat	35 years	15-03-1988
63	Rajkie	35 years	19-07-1988
64	Ramgarh	35 years	14-02-1985
65	Rasheedabad	35 years	25-01-1988

 

 

 

 

66	Rashidpore	35 years	29-05-1994
67	Rema	35 years	17-04-2001
68	Ruthna	35 years	15-08-1990
69	Sagurnal	35 years	19-07-1988
70	Sathgao	35 years	14-03-1988
71	Shamshernagar	35 years	15-03-1988
72	Silloah	35 years	19-07-1988
73	Sonarupa	35 years	14-03-1988
74	Surma	35 years	18-11-1989
75	Teliapara	35 years	14-03-1988
76	Wahidabad	35 years	25-06-2001
77	Zareen	35 years	27-06-1988

The Following Tea Estates’ Lease Period is 20 years up to Serial no. 1-9 and Rest 2 Estates 23 & 24 years Respectively :

Sl. no	Name of the tea estate	Period of land lease	Date of Land lease deed completed
	Bejoya	20 years	26-10-2000
	Dildarpore	20 years	21-03-1992
	Hingajea	20 years	Not Known
	Jhemai	20 years	09-09-1992
	Luayuni-Hollicherra	20 years	Not Known
	M.R. Khan	20 years	23-06-1990
	Moulvie	20 years	23-06-1990
	Moomincherra	20 years	09-06-1999
	Pallathal	20 years	Not Known
	Islamabad	23 years	Shakera
	Kalikabari	24 years	Waggacherra

20 Years Lease Recommended by Bangladesh Tea Board for the following Tea Estates and now under Consideration of
Land Ministry:
                            

Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate	Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate
	Alladad	13	Keramatnagar
	Amtali	14	Kumarshail
	Asgarabad	15	Loobacherra
	Augunia	16	Mohammadnagar
	Ayeshabagh	17	Muraicherra
	Bahadurpur	18	Rahmania
	Dalia	19	Rajnagar
	Ellahinoor	20	Rehana
	Fatehpur	21	Sabazpore
	Hafiz	22	Seerajnagar
	Islamabad	23	Shakera
	Kalikabari	24	waggacherra

Recommended by BTB for and now under Consideration of Commerce Ministry:

 

Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate	Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate
1	Dullucherra	3	Khan
2	Imam	4	Sreebari

Recommendation is under Process Regarding for following

Tea Estates :

 

Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate	Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate
	Dantamara		Bawany
	Fatehbagh		Kodala
	Chhotolekha		Kauracherra
	Phulbari		Neptune
	Rangapani		Patiya
	Pallakandi		Bimalanagar
	Shafinagar		Baramasia
	Jafflong		Haldavelly
	Khadim		Sreepore
	Burjan		Burhannagar

The Land Lease Could not be finalized due to ownership dispute, case against proper land recording, non-transfer of land documents, dispute among shareholders, Non-payment of BTB’s dues & other problematic matters.

Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate	Sl.No.	Name of the Tea Estate
	Nandarani		Oodaleah
	Srigobindapur		Thandacherri
	Kshipur		Horihor
	Andharmanik		Star
	Parkul		Rungicherra
	Ootterbagh-Indunnagar		Dadnagar

Author’s opinion regarding land lease policy is that long period lease of 99 years is not justified in the context of socio-economic and environmental condition of Bangladesh. As (1) the tendency and character of many people of our country is to grasp the govt. property by hook and crook. (2) From the list it is seen that some of the tea estates those were allotted lease for 99 years are not doing the development work properly. On the contrary there are some tea estates having the land lease for the period of either 40 years, 35 years or 20 years are performing the development work satisfactorily.   (3) The land lease phenomena for tea estates which are under process need to be settled quickly, otherwise the interest of the concerned owner/management will be hampered that will definitely effect the national interest.

26.   Brief review on Soil: Soil is a natural body synthesized in profile, resulting from a variable mixture of broken and weathered minerals and decaying organic matter, which covers the earth’s surface in a thin layer and which supplies, when containing a proper quantity of air and water, mechanical support and in part, sustenance for plants. (Chaudhury. S.H. 1989).

27.   Nutrient Status of Tea Soil (Sylhet): The Scientists of BTRI, [Hasan K.A, Chowdhury. S.H, Shome. K.M, and Rahman. M.A.] produced a report after soil surveying in 1969 which was published by BTRI as pamphlet no 2 in 1975. They collected 78 (Seventy eight) soil samples from 26 different sections of 10 tea estates. During sampling, particulars of the sampling sites such as acreage, tea, shade vacancies, yield topography were noted.
The results of the analysis of soil samples had presented in the pamphlet. They carried out both physical and important chemical analysis.
During survey particulars of the sampling sites were recorded both in the field and from the tea estates records. However, the soil samples collected were analysed for mechanical composition and important chemical constituents. They found from the analytical data that texturally the soil of Sylhet is lighter except few locations. The deterioration in physical properties is primarily due to the soil erosion.

28. Moulvibazar district includes maximum number tea estates of 4 (Four) circles, namely --- Juri, Manu-Doloi, Balisera and Lungla. BTRI’ scientists [Hassan.et al (1965)] surveyed the soils of various sections of different tea estates of Juri circle. The soil samples from each location were collected at 0-9'', 9''-18'' and 18''-36'' depths. The Scientists discussed the various important factors such as age of tea, vacancy, spacing, yield, shade, topography, mechanical composition, textural names and results of important chemical constituents.
29. The Scientists of BTRI, carried out soil survey in Manu-Doloi circle in 1964 and they collected soil samples from 32 sections of 12 tea estates. From each sampling site three soil samples were drawn at a depth of 0-9'', 9-18'' and 18-36''.
30. The Scientists of BTRI, carried out soil survey in Balisera circle. Soils samples were drawn for analysis from each location at 0-9'', 9-18'' and 18-36'' depths. The particulars regarding the age, yield, etc. of the tea were collected from the estates and topography, vacancy etc. were assessed in the field during survey.
31. Soil samples have been collected by BTRI Scientists from 35 sections of 17 tea estates of Lungla circle in 1968. During sampling survey relevant information of the tea section such as age, yield, tea, shade, vacancies etc, were recorded.
32. BTRI Scientists assessed the nutrient status of tea areas of Luskerpur circle Hobigonj District. They collected 138 soils samples from 43 different sections of 15 tea estates in 1967.

33. The particulars of the tea of the sampling areas such as topography, acreage, yield, tea, shade, vacancies, spacing, sampling data etc. were

examined ty the scientists. The age of the tea of the sampling sites ranged from 9 to 70 years.  
34. In order to assess the nutrient status of the soils of areas under tea of Chittagong circle, the scientists of BTRI collected 60 soil samples from 20 different sections of 11 tea estates in 1975. They collected samples at 0-9'', 9''-18'' and 18''-36'' depths.  
35. The age of the tea of the sampling area varied from 5 to 66 years. Both tea and shade vacancies were very high irrespective of age of the section the actual figures ranged from 3 to 60 in both the cases. The details reports of the soil survey have been presented in chapter-V in the sub-title Nutrient Status of the tea soil of Sylhet, Moulavibazar, Hobigonj and Chittagong District.
36. Ahsan (1994) reported that most of the suitable tea soil is to be light, friable and well drained having Soil pH ranging from 45 to 5.8 (Ahsan 1994). In Bangladesh pH is different in different valleys and it varies from 4.0 to 5.37. Most soils are at pH 42 to 4.5. But the soils in uprooting and rehabilitating area are strongly acidic average pH being 3.9 to 4.9.
Ahsan (1994) further added that tea is grown in Bangladesh under a marginal soil and climate condition. The reasons for low productivity are mainly due to low fertility of the soil and inferior stock of genetic materials.
37. It is known from the survey report of BTRI, monitoring report of PDU and BTB and recently collected information from the 60 selected tea estates through the questionnaire, that the fertility of soil under old tea areas have deteriorated and the organic matters have gone down. It may be mentioned here that Hasan (1963) also remarked in 1963 that the pH level has decreased below the optimum level i.e. 5.8 to 4.5 It is reported that tea grows well in a pH range between 5.00 to 5.6 Karim etal (1981) reported that due to low organic matter content and continuous application of sulphate of ammonia, the pH of a high proportion of old tea soils in some tea estates has dropped to a range between 3.3 to 4.3 Karim and Rahman (1980) also reported that at such a low pH most of the soils contain free Al 3+ions in solution and that about 85% of the exchangeable sites are occupied by Al 3+ ions. Chowdhury (1983) reported that A1 3+ ions are toxic for the growth of tea and inhibit the uptake of essential nutrient elements. Hasan and Chaudhury (1966) reported that due to rapid exhaustion of organic matter, peat soil loses its power of productivity within a short period and thus clearly indicate the problems of tea culture in such soils. So it is necessary to rehabilitate the old tea soil to increase the per hectare yield of tea.

38. It is reported in “Statistics on Bangladesh tea industry Dec. 2004’’ that there are old tea (41-60 years) area 10,638.92 (H). Which is 20% of total tea area and very old tea area (above 60 years) 9748.98 (H) which is 19% of total tea areas. The soil condition of these areas 10,638.92 (H)+ 9748.98 (H) = Total 20,387.9 (H) may be improved through application of common organic manures. In some cases cow dung, liming and composts are suggested.
39. According to soil scientist (Dr. Q. Ahsan) to rehabilitate the per hectare soil it is needed about 10 (ten) tons of cow- dung in a year. So for 20,387.90 (H) of old tea areas 20,3879 tons of cow-dung may be required.
40. It is remarked in the literature of Bangladesh Council for Science and industrial Research (BCSIR) that cow-dung of 5-6 cows is required for cooking and lighting management of 7-8 persons and to setup a Bio-gas plant only Tk. 20,000/- will be needed. Moreover, the organic fertilizer which is found from Bio-gas plant is better and more effective than compost and chemical fertilizer.
41. V.M. Desai, (Visiting faculty member, KAMC, South India), 2002 opined that view of Latifi, regarding soil rehabilitation of tea estates of Bangladesh and establishment of Dairy farms in the tea estates to provide cow-dung compost is very good and can work provided funds are available for establishing the same.

42. Chaudhury (1989) cited in general, there does not seem to be a decisive upper limit to the quantities of rainfall under which tea grow vigorously. In Sri lanka there are areas receiving over 500 cm rain where tea grows well. There is a consensus of opinion that 125 cm rain per annum is probably the lower critical limit unless there are other favorable circumstances such as elevation, occult precipitation, shade and wind. It may be noted that the rain distribution pattern is more important rather than the total precipitation. If rainfall is below 5 Cm per month over period of several months, crop production suffers severely.

43. Many studies have been conducted by the different Researchers to identify the patterns of daily rainfall occurrences. In the earliest climatologically study, William (1952) has studied the sequences of the wet and dry spells for Rothamsted Experimental station, Harpeden, for two-five years periods 1938-1942 and 1943-1947. In his study it was shown that the frequency distribution of sequences of dry days follow a logarithmic series very closely, again, the sequences of wet days do not follow a logarithmic series. Gregory has examined the regional variations in the trend of rainfall over the British Isles for the period between 1881 and 1950. He has found that the annual rainfall amounts have fluctuated considerable over the years and these fluctuations varied from one part of Britain to another. He has also noted that the fluctuations of rainfall have influenced not merely crop, yields, but it also influence the economic and ecological possibilities of agricultural expansion and development for different marginal areas.

44. Sarker (1999) stated that water is vital ingredient for all living organism up to 90% of the mass of plants is water. Without water a plant wilts and eventually dies. In Bangladesh every day 60,000-14,00,000 liters of water per hectares is lost by the tea plants through transpiration and from soil by evaporation when water is not a limiting factor. These losses in together are called evapo  transpiration (ET crop). In other words we may call crop water requirement of demand.

45. Sana (1989) cited that the pests and tea productivity are two opposite/ opponent factors. The word pest is a collective term for a wide range of organisms like virus, bacteria, algae, fungi, insects, mites, birds, rodents etc. Which are troublesome and destructive to crops, food supply and human property. Insects and mites may suck out plant juice, bacteria, algae, fungi etc may invade its tissues and produce various symptoms; rodent and birds may eat and misappropriate crop-yield and quality. All are collectively known as pests. Some animals and plants like penicillium fungus, silkworm, honey bee etc are directly or indirectly beneficial to human welfare and are collectively called Benefactors.

46. Sana (1980) cited that during 1975-79 the preliminary survey on the relative incidence of major pests and diseases in 6 valley circles of Sleet revealed that Red Spider mite, Tea mosquito bug, Termite and Flush worm comprised the main pest-composition, while the Blister blight, Red rust, Macrophoma, and charcoal stump rot diseases are most predominant.

47. Mandatory Program of Tea Plantation: In 1959 all tea companies were urged to carry out annual extension at the rate of three percent (3%) of the planted areas. In order to make this program effective, in January 1960 the Tea (amendment) order was promulgated which interalia empowered the then Pakistan Government to levy fines. In addition a large acreage had been leased out to establish new tea estates.

48. The financial problems of the tea industry received further detailed scrutiny by the Martial Law Administration in 1976 which appointed a high-powered Committee headed by Major General G.Q. Dastagir. On the basis of the report of this Committee, a top Level government meeting held on 5-7-1976 under the Chairmanship of the then Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator (DCMLA), Major General Ziaur Rahman, took a number of decision.

49. Realizing the importance of the tea industry and on the basis of various studies, the Government of Bangladesh with the collaboration of British ODA and EEC undertook a massive development plan known as Bangladesh Tea Rehabilitation Project (BTRP) in 1980-85), third five year plan (1985-90) and part of the fourth five year plan (1990-92) as tea sector development.

50. Management Training Center (MTC) was established in 1988 at Srimangal under Project Development Unit of Bangladesh Tea Board with a view to developing manpower of the tea industry. With joint collaboration of Bangladesh Management Development Center (BMDC) in May, 1988, a certificate course on tea management was introduced for the Managers and Assistant Managers of the tea estates. This course has now been upgraded to Diploma course.

51. Carr in 1988 reported that PDU had grown out of the Development division of BTRI, which renamed as the Advisory Division. One of the most experienced persons of the BTRI who was the head of Advisory Division was transferred to PDU as a Director.  The new Director of PDU hold post of the chief of the existing advisory service of BTRI. (Huq, 1996)

1. The foundation of modern Cha Sramik Union was initiated by the then General Secretary of Sylhet Zillah Cha Sramik student Samity and the present president of Cha Sramik Union Mr. Rajendra Prashad Bunarijee on 19th April, 1970.
2. The interest rate of BKB loan is not same in every year. The authority has been issuing circulars regarding interest rate in different times. From: BKB circular letter no : [cOKv/Lv:A: - 1/3(8) Ask – 2/2003-04/ 1355 Zvs – 11-042004 Bs] Where it is said that rate of interest of BKB loan is as follows with effect from 24-04-2004 and 01-07-2004.

 

Nature of Loan	Rate of Lnterest
Crop loan	8%
Tea production	9%
Development loan	9%

Previously, on 01-10-2003 the rate of interest BKB loan was as follows:

Nature of Loan	Rate of Interest
General crop	10%
Tea production	10%

1. Dutta, 2002 opined that there are three plant types i.e. 1. china 2. Assam and 3. Manipuri in Bangladesh. In general seedling are inherently poor in yield and quality.

 

1. Alam. (2002) Remarked that Growth of our tea industry until 1970 depended absolutely on various sources of seedling stocks of typical Assam (19%), Predominant Assamica but Munipuri/ Barma (40%), typical Munipuri (32%) and Hybrid (9%) jats which were mostly fair to inferior in cup quality.

1. The procedure of selection and propagation of elite mother bushes having capability of good yield and quality potentials was first described and used by “Cohen Stuart’’ in Java 1918.

 

1. According to Desai (1998), Vegetative propagation (VP) was started in China at earliest time by layering, in Java in 1907 by grafting; in North India in 1928 by inter nodal cuttings and South India in 1955 by grafting, by standardization of nursery techniques. However, tea producing countries have been following V.P. system for development of tea.

1. A charter of demand dt 13th July 2004, was submitted by the Bangladesh cha sramik Union to the Bangladesh cha Sangsad on economic condition was considered by the BCS/BTA and they agreed that some attraction should be made in the wage structure of tea garden workers in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Hobigang. Chittogong & Rangamti Districts.

 

A MOU was signed on 17th August 2005, between the parties on reaching on consensus on the issues raised by BCSU dt 13-07-05. The draft agreement was presented to the central committee in the meeting, ctg on 30th August 05.
They agreed that this agreement shall be effective from 1st September 2005 and shall remain in force until 31st August 2007.

1. Maola. 2001 stated that the MOP is a multidimensional approach and crucial for the survival, efficient operation and success of an organization.

 

1. Etzioni (1960) identified four general models of organizational analysis: 1. System   2. Goal 3. Survival and 4. Effectiveness models in which goals and effectiveness were perceived as alternative concepts. He defined effectiveness as the pattern of relationship among the elements of a system which would make the organization more effective in accomplishing a given goal. Kaczka and Krik (1967) identified profit, sales, ratio to sales and inventory, unit cost, group pressure and cohesion as performance measures.

1. Pennings (1976) identified 5 (five) indicators of effectiveness such as production, production decline, financial loss, moral and anxiety.

 

1. Fabricant (1959), in Basic facts on productivity change, National Bureau of Economic Research, New York P-1 defined the terms productivity and efficiency as synonymous. Productivity according to him resources are converted into commodities and services that men want, Basic facts on productivity is to make change. The same view is shared by many experts (Das, R.K-1924).

1. J. B. say formulated a markets law which is known as say’s law of markets; it asserts that supply always creates its own demand. This view was accepted by the classical economists and it was not questioned until the great Depression of 1929-35 when Keynes showed that it did not apply under modern conditions of production and distribution.

 

1. Iyengar. A.V.K. said that modern industrial conditions warrant a close attention to “cost-volume-profit” relationship. The analyst’s of the cost-volume-profit relationship facilitates effective policy making and strategic planning. It is necessary to understand the implications of the change in volume, with their impact on costs in any industrial situation.

1.  Wickremasinghe, 1978 said that as the tea dries the enzymes are rendered inactive due to the high temperature and the loss of moisture about 40% of the volatile compounds responsible for aroma in tea is lost during drying.

 

 

Summary of Chapter – II

1. The valuable contribution of researchers, pioneer of tea plantation, entrepreneur of tea estate and organizer of tea trade etc. has been presented.
2. Review of Literature related to importance of tea due to its medicinal values and herbal properties has been done.
3. The brief history of tea cultivation in the World has been discussed.   
4. Literature review on ownership and land lease system of Bangladesh tea estates has been depicted.
5. Brief review on soil has been stated.  
6. Studies on patterns of daily rainfall (climatologically study) has been pointed out.
7. Opinion and finding of Scientist have been mentioned.
8. Government Policy regarding mandatory program of Tea Plantation and other issues and financial problem of Tea Industries have been discussed.
9. Opinion of researchers related to performances has been quoted.