GUWAHATI: The small tea growers’ associations in Assam have asked the Assam government to fix a fair price or minimum support price for their tea leaves.
Industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patoway interacted with the representatives of small tea growers’ associations of the state at a meeting held at the Assam Administrative Staff College.
“The meeting discussed in detail all the issues and challenges pertaining to the small tea growers of Assam. The associations drew the attention of the minister for minimum support price to the small tea growers from the bought leaf factories during both peak and lean seasons. They further asked the Assam government to fix a fair price or minimum rate for their tea leaves.
They also raised the issue of overpriced manure,” a statement issued on Friday from the industries and commerce department read.
Around 49 per cent of tea produced in Assam is from the green tea leaves of small tea growers. Assam is the largest producer of tea in India and accounts for 52 per cent of the country’s tea. The All Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association pegs the number of small growers in Assam at 1.3 lakh, out of an estimated 2.5 lakh across India.
