The North East Confederation of Small Tea Growers has made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting immediate government intervention to establish a fair pricing system for green tea leaves that would protect thousands of small-scale cultivators from unpredictable market conditions.
Urgent Call for Price Protection Mechanism
In a significant move to safeguard their livelihoods, the tea growers' organization has formally requested the introduction of either a Minimum Support Price (MSP) or Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) system specifically designed for green tea leaves produced by Small Tea Growers across the region. The confederation emphasized that this protection is crucial given the constant market price volatility that threatens their economic stability.
Current Systems Failing Tea Cultivators
The growers highlighted the existing disparity in agricultural price support, noting that MSP currently covers 22 agricultural crops, while sugarcane farmers benefit from the FRP system. The confederation presented a compelling argument that tea cultivation represents a unique hybrid of agriculture and industry, thereby justifying similar protective measures for those engaged in tea leaf cultivation and harvesting.
The organization specifically pointed out deficiencies in the current Price Sharing Formula (PSF) and the district-wise, month-wise declaration of Average Green Leaf Price by the Tea Board. According to their assessment, these existing mechanisms are not delivering benefits to the growers and are instead creating unnecessary tensions between tea cultivators and manufacturers.
Comprehensive Support Package Requested
Beyond price protection, the small tea growers have sought broader government support through inclusion in all schemes administered by the agriculture ministry. Their requests include essential infrastructure and resource support such as:
- Government assistance for plucking and pruning machines
- Support for fencing and irrigation facilities
- Access to subsidized fertilizers and pesticides
The confederation's appeal underscores the critical need for policy intervention to stabilize the small tea growing sector, which forms the backbone of the tea industry in North East India and supports countless rural livelihoods.
