Observers believe that Iran's import policy is flawed.
Certain important factors are not kept in mind by writers of import policy.
Such a flawed policy for the import of goods has an adverse effect on the nation's hard currency reserves; it also inflicts a heavy blow on goods which are domestically produced but also imported.
Domestic tea growers are an example of those who are desperate because of this flawed regulation in imports.
Iran has a long history in growing tea. It was the British who took the tea growing industry from Iran to India, when they ruled over the subcontinent.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) yesterday focused on the problems of some 57,000 farmers who grow tea in the vicinity of the Caspian Sea. These farmers strongly criticized import regulations, claiming that flawed regulations are hitting them hard.
According to the report, Iran presently imports 50,000 tons of tea from different countries.
Almost the same amount of tea is produced domestically. As one of the oldest industries, tea must be rescued from its present crisis, as a farmer on IRIB appealed to the government.
Tea growers are at the mercy of 130 tea-processing factories which are not managed in a proper way, and are inflicting heavy financial losses on farmers.
The government should adopt comprehensive measures to pave the way for decreasing tea imports and marketing domestically produced tea within the country.
The tea industry has some 100,000 employees who work very hard and their future must be secured through addressing their fundamental problems. The government should devise a plan through which tea production is increased and more people may be employed in that industry.