Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Wednesday informed the National Assembly (NA) that efforts were underway to make the country self sufficient in tea production like other commodities. In response to various questions during the question hour, the minister said consumption of tea in the country had increased manifold with population growth and the government was also spending huge amounts on tea import similar to curd oil and petroleum products. He said Research and Introduction of Tea in Pakistan project was initiated in 1973-74, aimed at carrying out systemic research and studies on cultivation of tea in the country. The minister said NTRI had established tea nurseries at Shinkiari, Battagram, Swat and AJK.
