Northeast Desk, 15th March: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Thursday that his government is undertaking multiple initiatives to rejuvenate the state’s tea industry.
During the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a tea auction centre in Agartala, he highlighted the challenges faced by the industry, including setbacks due to insurgency and the impact of Ponzi schemes on tea planters and laborers.
Tea plantation was first introduced in Tripura’s Hiracherra area in 1916. Currently, the state boasts 54 tea estates spread across 12,800 hectares, producing 90 lakh kg of finished tea annually.
Saha emphasized that discussions with the central government led to the decision to establish a tea auction centre, aiming to enhance profitability for tea businesses. This move is expected to eliminate the need for planters and sellers to travel to auction centers in Kolkata or Guwahati, thereby reducing transportation costs and increasing profits.
Presently, tea auction centers are operational in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
Highlighting the potential of the tea industry to bolster the state’s economy, Saha revealed plans to collaborate with MBB University to introduce a course on tea processing, enabling planters to adopt modern techniques and thrive in the business.
“Sipping tea is our tradition. The demand for Tripureswari tea is growing, and we are committed to supporting the industry’s revival. In addition to increasing wages for tea laborers and providing land rights to thousands, we are also facilitating housing under the PM Awas Yojana. Our aim is to revitalize the tea industry through comprehensive measures,” stated Saha.
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