Sri Lanka tea output up 4.8 percent

Better weather and fertiliser usage coupled with better agricultural practices helped Sri Lanka's tea output to rise 4.8 percent in April compared with a year ago, the Sri Lanka Tea Board said on Friday. Tea output last month edged up for the first time on monthly basis to 29.17 million kg from 27.84 million in April 2008.
"Good agricultural practices better fertiliser application and suitable weather conditions helped to increase production," said H.D. Hemarathna, director-general of the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Output in the January-April period fell 29.3 percent to 78.72 million kg from 111.32 million kg a year earlier, when favourable weather and better fertiliser usage boosted production.