<h1>Tea research faces major funding shortfall as member dues default, urges govt and estates to boost investment, explore new revenue &D</h1> An industry research body reports a significant research funding shortfall for tea cultivation in India, citing member nonpayment of dues (over 50% delinquency) that has strained operations; India's annual public and private investment in tea R&D is reported at Rs 30 crore versus Rs 110 crore in China. The body urges greater government and large-estate contributions, formation of a committee to explore alternative revenue models (including property development), and expansion of membership to small growers and bought-leaf factories to stabilize funding. It notes existing R&D outputs such as climate-resilient clones, pest-management advances, IoT monitoring and product diversification.