Nilgiris’ small tea growers want to be ‘price fixers’

Small tea growers, who have come together under the Nilgiris Nelikolu Micro and Small Tea Growers and Farmers Development Society ( umbrella have resolved to establish tea factories in various tea cluster zones in the Nilgiris and make themselves ‘price-fixers’ and not ‘price-takers’ for their produce.

“We have resolved to establish strong-linkage with all the stakeholders for sustainable development and inclusive growth of the ailing Nilgiris Small Tea Growers (STGs) and farmers,” said the Nilgiris Nelikolu Micro and Small Tea Growers and Farmers Development Society (NSTF) President H.N. Sivan.

He told

Business Line over phone that the NSTF disapproved the IIPM’s (Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bangalore) recommendation on fixation of a realistic market price for the green leaves.

The institute has, in a report recently submitted to the Government recommended the existing 65:35 price sharing formula as the best method.

“Most of the factories have not implemented the formula. That apart, it should be understood that it has not brought any solution to the genuine sufferings and concerns of the small growers in this region. The Government should intervene without delay and get a fair deal for us and also ensure that the factories honour the Court verdict,” the NSTF President said.