Tea Plantation

TEA INDUSTRIES IN ASSAM

The Assam tea industry is one of the most enterprising tea-producing regions in the world. Tea estates in Assam collectively produce close to 507 million kg of tea every year, making the state of Assam the worlds largest tea-growing region.

 

The tea industry of Assam is the single largest one of the state playing a dominant role in the economy of the state. It does not only contribute a bigger share in state income but also contribute the national revenue through its exports. Assam tea is a popular type of black tea grown in the Indian state of Assam.

 

The Economic Significance of Tea Plantations in Assam!

 

India has the worlds largest area under tea. Assam boasts of having majority of tea produce in India. In Assam, there are 700-800 tea estates located on the raised grounds along the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River.

 

Assam produces the most pungent tea which is famous for its liquor. Tea plays vital role in the economy of the state contributing about 15 per cent of the states total income.

 

Along with the organized sector, the important presence and contribution of small tea growers cultivation in Assam has created vast employment opportunities in the rural areas giving economic impetus as well as employment generation.

 

 Assam occupied unique place in India by producing more than fifty percent of the national production having plantation area of about 3.22 lakh hectares which is more than half of the country s total area under tea. The tea industry in Assam plays a vital role in the state economy by earning foreign currency. It is the single largest industry in Assam that provides average daily employment to more than six lakh persons in the State, which is around 50 percent of the total average daily waged employee in the country. The growth rate of tea industry in Assam is falling in compare to earlier days.  Emphasis should be given for substantial growth of this industry which is the one of the major backbone of economy of Assam.

What to expect for development in terms of plantation and production

 

Suggestions:Input cost to be lowered:  For survival of tea industry and for optimum surplus, unit cost of production is to be low-ered. Due to inflation and domestic price rise, wages of employees in tea industry is to be hiked. Hence alternate measure to be taken to reduce other input cost and with optimum utilization of gardens resource.  Organic farming is another key suggestion to decrease input cost of production.

 

* Proper  Marketing : It has been observed that for the successful growth of  tea industry in Assam, the grass root level small tea growers producer should directly reach to the consumer by using appropriate marketing tools like advertisement, participating to expo, government and Pvt. Sponsor events, campaigning etc .

 

*Appropriate branding can prevent  fall in  price: It is seen that the fall prices of Assam tea is only for bulk selling whereas retail price of tea in the market is quite satisfactory. It implies that the tea producers are not getting the proper price benefit though demand of the same tea in market is high. The same quality and high flavour of Assam tea is sold by other brands in retail market and hence Assam tea is  losing dignity. Fall of price for bulk sell can be prevented if tea growers sell with own branding and pack-aging as Assam brand has high demand.

 

 *Modernization  of factories:  Most of the tea manufac-turing factories are with very old machinery. These Tea factories to be automated and quality of the tea to be monitored in each and every instant during manufacturing of tea. The quality of tea can be standardized by proper monitoring and adjusting different parameters during manufacturing time using advance technologies.

 

Registration of Small Tea Growers: The Small Tea Growers  who are mostly producing green tea leaf and selling to the big growers with lesser prices. Authorities should register all these Small Tea Growers through easy procedure for their better service. Required financial  support should be provided to extend financial support, government subsidy, consultancy, regular training, marketing etc that more and more 

 

*Conclusion- With the high rise and health consciousness amongst Indians and rest of the world organic tea plantation should be encouraged.For optimum benefit of the industry may give emphasize to produce value-added products like medicinal tea, organic tea, genetically modified varieties of tea plants and flavored tea , which will boost up the economy and tea industry .

 

Future Valley has started tea plantation in association with Doya Tea Estate of Namdang and Baragolai area under Margherita Sub division in Tinsukia District of Assam. The total plantation as of now is approx 150 Bighas (20 hectors). Another 30 hectors of plantation is proposed in the Namtok  area. Which will boost up the labour employment of the nearby areas. The existing plantation will be gradually converted into fully organic farming. Looking at the importance of tea, Future Valley Technologies and Services LLP have already obtained license from Tea Board for tea trading and setting up of  Tea packaging industry at Industrial Shed Jagiroad. We are also trying to obtain license and necessary permission for CTC , orthodox and green tea manufacturing unit.