The Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Association (CISTA), in partnership with United Forum of Small Tea Growers Association, North Bengal, and Darjeeling Organic Ekta Society, a tea farmers' society, will hold a day-long workshop in Darjeeling on September 11, according to Mr Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty, President, CISTA.
The focus of discussion will be the future of small tea growers in the country in context of the government's policy initiatives, particularly in the 12th Plan period, sustainable production, export-orientation in mini-processing units, branding and quality management and the functioning of the proposed small tea growers' directorate. The speakers will include experts form Tea Research Association, Assam Agriculture University, North Bengal University, Darjeeling Tea Association, Indian Institute of Plantation & Management and Tea Board. Many small growers from Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh will be present.
The number of small tea growers in the country is estimated at 160,000 who produce over 165,000 ha tea. Together they produce 260 million kg of made tea, or roughly 26 per cent of the country's total tea production, processed in 440 bought leaf factories, Mr Chakraborty adds.