Tea Board steps up promotion of mechanised harvesting

The Tea Board has stepped up the promotion of mechanised harvesting to tide over the labour shortage problem faced by small growers.

Its promotion package comprises distributing subsidy on the price of the machine and imparting necessary training through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI KVK).

“We have launched a scheme to demonstrate the use of harvesting machines. We are visiting the various tea-growing Districts and training growers on the scientific method of using the harvesting machines to net more yield of quality green leaf. We are helping growers benefit from demonstrations in our training centre,” KVK Agricultural Engineer, Mr G. Ramamoorthy, told Business Line .

“Subsidy is important, because one man-operated harvesting machines cost from Rs 24,000 to Rs 50,000 and two-man machines, up to Rs 1.10 lakh,” he said.

“The Tea Board's new endeavour is to support unemployed youth, with 50 per cent subsidy for a person to procure the machines. Our target is to subsidise up to 30 machines for every tea-growing taluk. This will benefit both unemployed youth and the growers in tea belts. Collectively, this will help solve unemployment and labour shortage problems in the tea areas,” Mr R. Ambalavanan, Tea Board Executive Director, said.

Application forms

“Members of Self Help Groups can also get this subsidy. Eligible people can collect the application form and submit it at Tea Board's Southern regional office in Coonoor. We have cleared 15 applications by January end. More are being processed,” he added.