The Mountain Tea Chinese Factory, constructed under the Vibrant Village initiative of China, has started operations in Kimtang village of Myagang Rural Municipality-4 in Nuwakot district.

The project, jointly implemented by the China Foundation for Rural Development and Global Cooperation for Development, marks the launch of the “Tea Value Chain Enhancement Project.” It includes establishing a state-of-the-art tea processing facility and technical training for farmers.

The tea factory aims to enhance Nepal’s tea processing capacity, meeting increasing domestic and international demand, the China Foundation for Rural Development said in a statement.

“The project, through advanced machinery and training, will improve product quality and diversify tea varieties to meet global standards. It will also provide market access for over 600 tea-processing households in Nuwakot and Lalitpur, connecting them to domestic and international markets for sustained demand and long-term economic benefits,” reads the statement.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kamal Bahadur Tamang, chairperson of ward 4 in Myagang Rural Municipality, highlighted the factory as critical infrastructure for producing high-quality tea, boosting Nepal's competitiveness in both local and global markets.

Zou Zhiqiang, director of the Nepal Office of the China Foundation for Rural Development, emphasised the project’s role in uplifting the rural economy and positioning Nepal as a key tea market player. “This initiative paves the way for a prosperous future for smallholder farmers and their communities, marking the beginning of a new era for Nepal's tea industry,” she said.

Dr Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, former executive director of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, praised the training provided by Chinese experts, which he said would enhance farmers' cultivation, harvesting, and processing skills. He stressed the importance of strong market connections in ensuring long-term benefits for farmers.

Chinese Technical Expert Wang Mingqi expressed hope that shared knowledge would strengthen Nepal's tea industry and improve farmers' livelihoods, fostering enduring ties between Nepal and China.

The ceremony was attended by Kamal Bahadur Tamang, the chairperson of Ward 4 in Myagang Rural Municipality, Zou Zhiqiang, director of the Nepal Office of China Foundation for Rural Development, Dr. Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, former executive director of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board, and Professor and Head of Agriculture Program at Himalayan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Mukti Marasini, chairperson of Global Cooperation for Development, Chinese Technical Experts Wang Mingqi and Li Linfeng, Sarman Tamang, chairperson of Kimtang Organic Tea Cooperative, and farmers with a shared vision of improving tea production in Nepal and enhancing the livelihoods of over 300 smallholder farmers in Nuwakot.