The Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers' Associations (CISTA) has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, urging the establishment of a dedicated small tea growers' development board. In its proposal, CISTA emphasized that the board should include representatives from the Tea Board, the state's department of industry, commerce and enterprises, district administrations, and small tea growers themselves.
Key Demands
The association has also requested the Chief Minister to officially recognize small tea growers as farmers. This recognition would enable them to be included in all relevant central government farm schemes, providing them with access to benefits and support programs currently available to other agricultural farmers.
Background
Small tea growers form a significant part of West Bengal's tea industry, particularly in the Dooars and Terai regions. They often face challenges such as lack of institutional support, limited access to credit, and inadequate representation in policy-making bodies. CISTA's proposal aims to address these issues by creating a dedicated board that can coordinate efforts across various government departments and ensure the welfare of small growers.
Proposed Board Composition
- Tea Board representatives
- Officials from the department of industry, commerce and enterprises
- District administration officials
- Representatives of small tea growers
The board would serve as a platform to address the specific needs of small growers, including technical assistance, market access, and financial support. CISTA believes that such a board would help streamline policies and ensure that small tea growers are not left behind in the state's development agenda.
Next Steps
The association has urged the Chief Minister to take early action on the proposal. They have also highlighted the importance of including small growers in central schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which require farmer status for eligibility. If recognized as farmers, small tea growers could benefit from these programs, improving their livelihoods and the sustainability of the tea industry in the region.
