International Small Tea Grower’s Convention

News Highlight

Recently, Union Minister addressed the Indian Tea Association’s (ITA’s) International Small Tea Grower’s Convention.

Key Takeaways

• He said that small tea growers will have the biggest role to play in shaping the future of the tea sector in India. 
• The smallholder tea segment currently shares more than 50% of the total production and is a vital source of green leaf for many estate factories manufacturing out of bought leaf.

Tea Sector in India

• India is the second-largest producer of tea globally.
• Indian tea is one of the finest in the world due to strong geographical indications, heavy investment in tea processing units, continuous innovation, augmented product mix, and strategic market expansion. 
• Cultivation
  • As of a 2018 survey, a total of 6.37 lakh hectares of area was cultivated in India for tea production. 
• Consumption
  • India is also among the world’s top tea-consuming countries, with 80% of the tea produced in the country consumed by the domestic population.
• Production
  • Northern part of India
    • It is the biggest producer at about 83% of the country’s annual tea production in 2021-22 with the majority of the production coming from Assam followed by West Bengal. 
    • The Assam valley and Cachar are the two tea producing regions in Assam. 
    • In West Bengal, Dooars, Terai and Darjeeling are the three major tea producer regions. 
  • Southern part of India 
    • It produces about 17% of the country’s total production with the major producing states being Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

Tea Export in India

• India is among the top 5 tea exporters in the world making about 10% of the total exports. 
• In the year 2021, the total value of tea exports from India was around US$ 687.9 million. 
• Indian Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri tea are considered one of the finest in the world. 
• The majority of the tea exported out of India is black tea which makes up about 96% of the total exports. 
• The types of tea exported through India are: Black tea, Regular tea, Green tea, Herbal tea, Masala tea and Lemon tea. 
  • Out of these, black tea, regular tea and green tea make up approximately 80%, 16% and 3.5% of the total tea exported from India.
• Exports by Country
  • India exports tea to more than 25 countries throughout the world. 
  • Russia, Iran, UAE, USA, the UK, Germany, and China are some of the major importers of tea from India

Government Initiatives to enhance the production

• Promotion for packaged Tea of Indian origin.
  • Tea Board of India started the Scheme Promotion for packaged Tea of Indian origin. 
  • The scheme provides assistance in promotional campaigns – up to 25% of the cost reimbursement, display in International Departmental Stores, product literature and website development, and inspection charges reimbursement of up to 25% of the charges.
• Tea Development and Promotion Scheme
  • This scheme was launched in November 2021 by the Tea Board of India for the period of 2021-26. 
  • The objective of this scheme is to enhance the productivity and quality of the production in India. 
  • There are seven important components to this scheme,
    1. Plantation development of small tea farmers
    2. Creation of sector specific actions plan for North East India
    3. Supporting the tea producers and trader in market promotion activities
    4. Worker’s welfare
    5. Research and development activities
    6. Regulatory reforms
    7. Establishment expenses
• The Tea Board also provides subsidies to the domestic exporters to participate in International Fairs and Exhibitions.
  • The aim is to provide a platform to the exporters to showcase their products in international events for promotion and facilitate the generation of trade opportunities.

About Tea

• Tea is an evergreen plant that mainly grows in tropical and subtropical climates.
• Climatic Condition
  • Tea grows in a moderately hot and humid climate, which is preferred for better yield, crop distribution and quality.
• Temperature suitable for Tea Cultivation
  • An ambient temperature within 13°C and 28-32°C is conducive for growth of tea. 
  • Temperature above 32°C is unfavourable for optimum photosynthesis. 
  • It is synergically disastrous for the crop if it is accompanied by low humidity.
• Soil suitable for Tea Cultivation
  • The Acidic Soil with around 4.5-5.5 pH is most suitable for Tea.
  • Well-drained fertile acid soil on high lands with moderate to high rainfall.

Pic Courtesy: freepik

Content Source: The Hindu