Guwahati: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday urged India’s tea sector to develop new internationally competitive varieties and adopt cutting-edge technology to strengthen quality, traceability, and farmer welfare.
Speaking at the Sankalp Foundation’s National Conference on Safe Tea Production in New Delhi, Goyal said India must look beyond its iconic Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri teas and create signature blends aligned with global wellness and premium lifestyle markets. Sustainable farming practices, low MRLs, and responsible labour standards, he stressed, are central to keeping Indian tea future-ready.
Goyal called on researchers to leverage India’s diverse agro-climatic zones to produce innovative, high-value teas that can unlock fresh export opportunities. This research-led expansion, he said, would help small growers earn better returns and enhance India’s global footprint.
The Minister highlighted India’s position among the world’s largest tea producers and exporters—shipping nearly 255 million tonnes annually—and said safeguarding the sector is crucial to the country’s cultural and economic identity.
Reiterating the government’s support for growers, he cited the ₹1,000-crore package for the industry and tools like the Chai Sahayog App, which helps small growers secure fairer prices.
A major thrust of his address was the need for end-to-end traceability, with Goyal urging adoption of technologies such as blockchain to track every stage—from plucking to packaging—to prevent adulteration and mixing with low-quality or imported teas. Such transparency, he said, is essential to protect India’s tea integrity and strengthen global buyer confidence.
Goyal also pushed for eco-friendly packaging, wider use of drip irrigation, and a shift from bulk commodity exports to value-added, branded teas. He assured full government and Tea Board support for global outreach, including trade fairs and buyer–seller meets.
Emphasising the social dimension, he urged collective efforts to improve opportunities for children in tea-growing regions, and backed skilling and mechanisation to raise productivity.
He encouraged the industry to embrace storytelling that showcases origin and uniqueness, and called for state-of-the-art testing labs supported by FSSAI, BIS, and EIC to uphold world-class standards.
Goyal said government and industry must work together to ensure “every cup of Indian tea represents quality, heritage, and trust,” expressing confidence that the sector will play a vital role in India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
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