Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry

02-May-2012 16:11 IST

Exploration of Potential of Small Tea Growers

It may be seen from the Table below that small growers account for nearly 28% of total tea area of the country and 26% of all India production.

 Measures adopted for benefit of the small growers are aimed at improving the farm productivity and quality of the produce, and then providing them with a market access to ensure a reasonable return.  Accordingly, financial assistance is being extended through the Tea Board to collectives of small growers (Self Help Groups) for facilitating establishment of proper leaf collection systems, transport arrangements and establishing proper partnership arrangements with the quality tea processing factories. Each self-help group is required to have a minimum membership of 50 small growers and the extent of tea area not less than 50 acres (20 Hectares).   A small growers Directorate is being set up and posts have been sanctioned for the purpose.

The assistance being provided includes the following:

1.      100% grant for setting up of leaf collection centers, storage godowns, purchasing leaf weighing scales and plastic crates/nylon leaf carry bags;.

2.      Transport vehicles at 50% of the cost;

3.      Revolving fund @ Rs.10,000/ha for meeting the cost of field inputssuch as fertilizers, pesticides, sprayers etc.;

4.       Establishing mini tea processing factories;

5.      Training on modern aspects of tea growing is organized for selected members from self help groups who in turn on completion of the training are expected to impart training to other members of the SHG.  Besides meeting the training fee,  boarding and lodging cost during the training period, each trainee is provided with stipend @Rs.500 per month for next six months from the date of completion of the training;

      In addition, subsidy @25% of the unit cost is provided to small growers for taking up new planting up to 4 ha per grower.                                                                                                                                               

  The number of small tea growers benefited under the schemes during the last three years adds up to 22791.  The state-wise break up  is as under:

This information was given by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia,  Minister  of State for  Commerce, Industry and in written reply to a question in  Rajya   Sabha today.

DS/GK