<h1>Tea Board of India Allocates Rs.567.10 Crores for Replanting and Rejuvenating Tea Plantations; Focus on Mechanical Plucking Efficiency.</h1> A Special Purpose Tea Fund (SPTF) was established in 2007 by the Tea Board of India with a budget of Rs.567.10 crores to support tea gardens through loans and subsidies for replanting and rejuvenating old plantations. The assistance structure includes 50% as a long-term loan, 25% as a subsidy, and 25% as the borrower's contribution. Between 2007 and 2012, 25,144.22 hectares were replanted, and 6,604.85 hectares were rejuvenated. South Indian tea plantations face labor shortages, leading to increased mechanical plucking, which affects tea quality. The Tea Board funds research to improve mechanical plucking efficiency.