Tea Board turns 69th year; huge contribution to India's tea industry but plight.. | Hams Live News

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Tea Board turns 69th year; huge contribution to India's tea industry but plight of small tea growers (STGs) continues


The growth of tea industry in India has been phenomenal and placed atop the world in terms of its aroma and flavour and second in the production, thanks to constant endeavour to achieve higher scale by the Tea Board of India, which is celebrating its 69th foundation day ( April 1) on Friday.

The Tea Board was launched on this day in 1954 following the Tea Act 1953, to carry out its functions and responsibilities for overall development of Tea Industry implementing various Government plan schemes, and as a result of which India was now the 2nd largest producer in the World with 1283 million kg annually. Tea cultivation is spread over 15 states and produces a medley of teas suited to different tastes and preferences of consumers.

The characteristics of the teas of each region are distinct, which sets them apart from one another in many different ways. Above all World's finest teas are produced in Darjeeling, Assam, Sikkim in the sub-Himalayan eastern parts of the country, and Nilgiris and Kangra in the south of India, which are in great demand for their delicate flavor, strength and brightness.

The Indian Tea Industry which was developed over 180 years is now a valuable asset to the nation, a Tea Board spokesperson said on Friday. The Tea industry provides direct gainful employment to a large number of people (millions) and helps in providing indirect employment to various sectors of which nearly 58 per cent of the workforce is women.

The contribution of the Tea Board to the tea industry led to 101 per cent growth in the area under tea, from 3.16 lakh to 6.36 lakh ha 361 pc growth in production, from 278 million kg to 1283 m.kg, a 120 per cent growth in productivity, from 900 kg / ha to 1976 kg /ha 1304 pc growth in consumption, from 77 m.kg to 1081 m. kg, a phenomenal growth of small tea growers to 2.10 lakhs.

The Tea board also launched auctions from manual to e-auction since 2009 and enabled the producers to have link direct link with the buyers. The Board has made major interventions for sustainability of tea industry with the implementation of pan India Auction with payment settlement.

Setting up of Quality Control Laboratory at Tea Park,Siliguri, West Bengal, besides, development of “Chai Sahyog'' mobile app for the use of tea stakeholder Collectivization of Small Tea Growers with formation of 351 SHGs (self-help groups), 433, FPOs (farmers producers organisation scheme) and 14 FPCs ( farmers producers companies ), the spokesperson said.

Putting in place the Plant Protection Code for ensuring safety of the plantation environment, workers and consumers. Darjeeling, Assam (Orthodox), Nilgiri (Orthodox) and Kangra are registered as GI in India. Logos have been developed for Tripura, Sikkim, Dooars & Terai. A new auction model “Bharat Auction'' (based on Japanese Auction) has been developed by the Board and launched in South India in January 2022. This model is tentatively planned to be launched in North India very soon, the Tea Board official said. Alternative e-auction platform m-junction was set up in Dibrugarh,Assam to promote more effective e-commerce in tea.

During the Covid Pandemic time the Board has taken various initiatives to ensure the normal functioning of the industry. As part of Ease of Doing Business various steps have been taken to simplify procedures. Tea Board India, in order to encourage more exports, has taken many initiatives in consultations with the various embassies of India, including buyer seller meets and assisted tea exporters to explore new markets.

However, the plight of small tea growers (STGs) continues. The emergence of small tea growers emanating from tea industry is a comparatively a new phenomenon. Starting from early 1970’s attracted by the success of the tea industry, a number of youths, whose number went on steadily increasing began producing green tea leaves on a very small plot. That was the beginning of small tea growers in India. Only in the state of Assam, it is being estimated that the small tea growers are producing almost 230458 thousand kg of green leaves cultivated over the area of 193399 bighas. But the present situation of small tea growers in Assam and West Bengal are a story of exploitation and deprivation, coupled with other issues. In this backdrop, policies pertaining to Small Tea Growers should be analyzed in by the Tea Board followed by some concrete measures by concerned government authorities.