Guwahati: In a significant policy push, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has extended its support towards ensuring fair pricing, welfare inclusion, and a sustainable future for India’s 2.5 lakh small tea growers, who collectively account for more than 53% of the country’s tea production.
A high-level delegation of the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers’ Associations (CISTA), led by National President Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty and comprising representatives from Assam, South India, West Bengal, and Bodoland, met senior officials of the Ministry in New Delhi this week.
The meeting was chaired by Kesang Y Sherpa, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, and attended by Neeraj Gaba, Director – Plantations, and Rajanigandha Seal Naskar, Controller of Licensing, Tea Board India.
One of the key outcomes was the Ministry’s agreement to commission a ground-level cost study and establish a National Pricing Committee to ensure the implementation of a Minimum Sustainable Price (MSP) of ₹35 per kg of green tea leaves, aimed at protecting growers from distress sales and ensuring economic viability.
To safeguard the domestic market, a consensus was reached on imposing a 100% import duty on foreign teas, particularly from Kenya, Nepal, and African nations. Mandatory FSSAI quality checks will also be enforced to preserve the authenticity and global reputation of “Indian Tea.”
The Ministry also assured small growers that it would work towards achieving parity with agricultural farmers, granting them access to 28 central welfare schemes including PM-KISAN, PMFBY, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and PMKSY, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Discussions also focused on strengthening the Monthly Benchmark Price (MBP) system. A joint expert committee will be constituted to develop a transparent, cost-linked formula with digital monitoring for enforcement at the factory level.
The Ministry further endorsed regional consultations in Assam, Siliguri (West Bengal), and South India, as well as the organisation of an Annual National Tea Growers’ Conference to ensure continuous dialogue between policymakers and stakeholders.
Recognising the growing threat of climate change on tea cultivation, the participants proposed the launch of a Climate-Resilient Tea Farming Mission to support organic farming, irrigation projects, and soil health initiatives. Financial assistance mechanisms such as a Tea Grower Credit Card and priority lending through NABARD and rural bankswere also put on the table.
To boost market visibility, CISTA suggested promoting a “Small Grower India Tea” brand under the Bharat Pavilion at international trade fairs, while also focusing on value-added teas like green, organic, and specialty varieties to capture emerging consumer demand.
Smt. Kesang Y Sherpa, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, underlined the government’s commitment: “Protecting small farmers is in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of empowering India’s agricultural community. Small tea growers, as the backbone of the industry, will receive all possible policy support for sustainability, fair income, and global competitiveness.”
Echoing this, CISTA President Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty said the meeting marked “a major step forward in securing the future of 2.5 lakh small tea growers across India.” He added that follow-up consultations in Guwahati, Siliguri, and Coonoor would refine and implement the measures discussed.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment from CISTA, Tea Board India, and the Ministry of Commerce to ensure fair pricing, quality protection, welfare inclusion, and sustainable growth for India’s small tea growers.
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