To get information about Programme start and application calling, please contact Programme Coordinator or DCEU!
Dr. Palihakkara (Programme Coordinator)
+94 77 7112571 / palihakkara@crop.ruh.ac.lk
දූරස්ථ හා අඛණ්ඩ අධ්යාපන ඒකකය
+94 41 2223133 / ardceu@dceu.ruh.ac.lk
Intrduction
Southern province contributes about 30% of the total tea production of the country. The tea industry in the region is dominated by the small holding sector. In Galle and Matara districts there are about 75000 and 65000 small holders respectively. Therefore, the role of tea sector is vital in economic development of the country and enhancement of the living standards of the Southern Region. As the tea sector is dominated by the small holding sector, made tea production is dominated by the private sector. About 200 tea factories which are operating in different scales are producing made tea to both the domestic market and export market.
To face the emerging situation, technological improvement in the sector, maintaining the quality standards and value addition are to be emphasized in order to maintain the goodwill of ‘Ceylon Tea’. However, it has been revealed that majority of the factory officers and field officers in the tea sector have not acquired adequate knowledge and skills to produce to the world market standards. Sri Lanka Tea Board, Tea Small Holding Authority (THSDA) and the Tea Research Institute are the main institutes which are regulating the quality and quantity of the tea production. The Regional Tea Development Council’ is a non-profit organization which works together with Sri Lanka Tea Board, THSDA, Tea Research Institute, Tea Factories, Tea Brokers and other stakeholders in the tea sector to achieve the objectives of the government objectives of the tea sector while considering the emerging issues of stakeholders of different stages. Moreover, the Regional Tea Development Council is providing a platform for a constructive dialogue among different stakeholders such as Sri Lanka Tea Board, THSDA, Tea Research Institute, factory owners, tea leaf collectors, tea brokers, planters and input suppliers.
Therefore, to cater the above demand, the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna with collaboration of Sri Lanka Tea Board and THSDA propose to conduct training Programmes leading to certificate level and diploma level for the factory officers and field officers of the tea sector of the Southern Region. As the need is higher in the tea manufacturing sector and there are about 600 factory officers in Galle and Matara districts, initially the training programme will target the training of factory officers.
Organizing the Programme
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ruhuna With collaboration of;
- Regional Tea Development Council, Matara
- Sri Lanka Tea Board
- Tea Small Holding Authority
- Tea Research Institute
FAQS
Target Group
- Officers currently engaged in the tea industry, Tea Factory Officers, Administrative Officers Or Quality Management Officers
- Entrepreneurs in the tea production and processing industries
- Candidates who have passed GCE Advanced Level OR have passed GCE Ordinary Level with credit pass in Science, Mathematics and English and are looking for employment in Tea Production.
For Certificate of Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management
As the training programme is designed for factory officers of tea manufacturing industry, the formal education qualifications are not considered. However, the trainees should have the ability to understand the lectures and to read the teaching materials. Therefore, candidates should have;
- Minimum of three year experience in the tea manufacturing industry and Be a employee in tea manufacturing industry
For Diploma in Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management
Successfully completion of Certificate of Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management programme and Be an employee of tea manufacturing industry in supervisory grade or A person involved in marketing and value addition of made tea
Diploma in Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management (12 Months)
- Theory Classes
- Practical Sessions
- Field Works
Certificate of Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management
- After successfully completing the six months programme and passing the stipulated examinations
Diploma in Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management
- After successfully completing the requirements of the Diploma programme and passing the stipulated examinations
Sinhala / English
The duration of the Certificate of Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management programme is six months. The theory classes will be conducted at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension in Saturdays and Sundays. The practical sessions and field work will be arranged tea factories which are properly maintained and in tea fields. Total number of hours of theory classes will be 120 hours and practical classes will be 120 hours in addition to field studies, field visits and in-service training for eligibility to sit for the end-course examination.
At the end of the programme the examination will be conducted by the Department of Agricultural Economics. The End-Course Examination will consist of four theory papers and a viva-voce examination. Practical component and field work will be evaluated through out the course by assignments.
The duration of the Diploma in Scientific Tea Manufacturing and Quality Management programme is twelve months including the period of certificate level time period. The trainees who successfully completed the Certificate Programme can either leave the programme or to continue for the Diploma. The theory classes will be conducted at the Department of Agricultural Economies and Extension in Saturdays and Sundays. The practical sessions and field work will be arranged tea factories which are properly maintained and in tea fields. Total number of hours of theory classes will be 120 hours and practical classes will be 120 hours in addition to field studies, field visits and in-service training for eligibility to sit for the end-course examination.
At the end of the programme the examination will be conducted by the Department of Agricultural Economics. The End-Course Examination will consist of four theory papers of three hour duration and a viva-voce examination. Practical component and field work will be evaluated through out the course by assignments.
Certificates will be issued after end course evaluation for participants based on the following scheme.
Merit Pass: Average of more than 75%.
Pass: Average of marks between 50% and 74%
Certificate Level Modules
Module - 1: Introduction to Agronomy Of tea crop, Managing the soil and environment for quality Tea, Management of tea plantations, Harvesting of quality tea, Leaf management at field level
Module - 2: Management aspects for quality leaf production: planting, rehabilitation, training, fertilizer application, disease and pest control, weed control, shade management, pruning, plucking, rehabilitation and conservation of soil. (Fie1d Practical)
Module - 3: Quality Management: cleaner Production options, 5S and Kaizen systems, Use of ISO standards and HACCP standards in tea manufacturing, Certification requirements of made tea production CQC, QMS, GMP, AGP & BPC standards, Product certification, Fair trade, Waste reduction and energy conservation
Module - 4: Tea manufacturing process: Leaf management, withering, rolling, fermentations, drying, cleaning and grading, packing, value addition (Factories)
Diploma Level Modules
Module - 5: Human Resource Management: communications, labour laws, concepts and application of organizational behavior, work safety and labour laws
Module - 6: International Trade and Marketing, Regulations in import export, Circulars and amendments of tea trade, Auctions and pricing mechanisms of tea trade, Food and beverage acts and standards, Value addition of tea, use of marketing concepts in tea trade
Module - 7: Inventory control and record keeping, Supply chain management and lean supply management, Use of information and communication technology in tea manufacturing, Labour administration
Module - 8: Tea manufacturing process and quality management: Integration of GMP in tea manufacturing process, Cleaner production techniques
To get more details, please contact
Dr. I.R. Palihakkara - Programme Coordinator
Department of Crop Science
Faculty of Agriculture University of Ruhuna:
Mobile: 077 7112571
Email: palihakkara@crop.ruh.ac.lk