A REPORT ON PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF SMALL TEA GROWERS OF ASSAM - A CASE STUDY OF MINI TEA ESTATES OF NORTH LAKHIMPUR TOWN

Abstract

Tea, the most ancient beverage of mankind has been enjoying is still the most popular drink in the world. In India it is grown in an area of 5.10 lakh hectare. Since the first auction of Assam Tea made from indigenous plants held in London in 1839, tea plantation in India has been contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of the people of the tea growing region in the country. Tea Industry contributes substantially towards the national and state economy by way of enriching the foreign exchange reservoir and state exchequer besides employment. In Assam several tea growers who are paddy farmers do not have ownership of land they cultivated. They are thus deprived of access to bank loans which is essential if they wish to expand, set up own processing unit or go in for organic cultivation. Marketing their produce is another major challenge before the small growers who are processing their own leaf specially those who are going organic. The rest of green tea is sold to tea factory. Since production is limited financing is a problem. Unless production and certification hurdles are cleared by small tea growers, the time and money needed for such products will continue to elude most.