MANGALBARE: The local government of Ilam is organizing an international tea festival in Ilam, often referred to as "the tea capital" of Nepal. According to the state-owned RSS, the event will take place from June 8 to 10 in Ilam Bazar.

Kedar Thapa, the mayor of Ilam Municipality, told RSS that the festival aims to promote Nepali tea globally. He added that the event will feature participation of  tea industrialists, tea farmers, entrepreneurs, and international tea enthusiasts.

"We are organizing the international tea festival under the municipality's leadership to address the issue of tea farmers and traders being forced to sell their produce at lower prices due to inadequate publicity. Despite Nepal's tea being considered organic and of high quality, it lacks sufficient exposure," RSS quoted Mayor Thapa as saying. He added that increasing the export of Nepal-grown tea could significantly boost foreign currency earnings.

According to Mayor Thapa, the objective of the festival is to promote the market of Nepali tea and encourage more farmers to engage in tea cultivation. He expressed confidence that the festival will enhance the international marketing of Nepali tea.