Guwahati: The North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal during an interactive session in Guwahati on Saturday, outlining the challenges faced by the Assam tea industry.
During the session, the union minister interacted with representatives of the tea industry and assured them that the central government would take appropriate steps to address the challenges faced by the sector.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also present on the occasion along with stakeholders, including buyers, producers and small tea growers from various states.
North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) chairman Ajay Dhandharia, in his presentation, highlighted various challenges being faced by the Assam tea industry, which include routing of 100 percent dust grades through public auctions, maximum residue limit, efficiency of public auctions, early closure of production by December 30, low per capita consumption of tea, stagnancy in export from India and climate change, among others.
Regarding stagnancy in export from India, the NETA stated, “The export from India was 231.08 million kgs in 2022 and 231.69 million kgs in 2023. A target to reach 300 million kgs exports from India would help demand-supply mismatch in the domestic market.”
“I am extremely grateful to Hon’ble Union Minister Shri @PiyushGoyal ji for patiently hearing the stakeholders of the tea industry and taking a positive approach to resolve their issues. Thank you Piyush Goyal ji for your valuable time,” the chief minister wrote on X.
Meanwhile, the North East Confederation Small Tea Grower’s Association (NECSTGA) called for streamlining the disbursement of funds to small tea growers under the development and promotion scheme of the 15th Finance Commission.
The association also demanded that sufficient funds be allocated to the Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI) to enable it to conduct awareness and training programs for small tea growers.
The Union Minister suggested a roadmap to make India the Tea Capital of the world by innovative & sustainable farming practices, product diversification to benefit small producers, boosting exports & incomes with organic, premium tea, skilling youth and supporting startups for greater global trade and Tea tourism for rural development.
The session saw the attendance of the Minister of Industries & Commerce, Bimal Borah; Minister for Welfare of Tea Tribes, Sanjoy Kishan; Joint Secretary of the Department of Commerce, Kesang Y Sherpa; Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota; Deputy Chairman of Tea Board India, Saurav Pahari, among other dignitaries.
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NECSTGA President Diganta Phukan also called for declaring tea as the national drink of India and Dibrugarh the Tea City’ of the country.
Dhandharia further added, “Assam Tea Industry has completed 200 years. The industry needs support, guidance and hand-holding to survive for the next 200 years and beyond.”
