Guwahati, 22nd May: The Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association (ABLTMA) has taken a drastic step, announcing the indefinite shutdown of over 200 bought leaf tea factories starting June 1. This move comes in response to rampant pesticide use by small tea growers, causing significant financial losses and jeopardizing the state’s tea industry.
Chand Kumar Gohain, president of ABLTMA, highlighted the pressing issue, citing the excessive use of banned pesticides on raw tea leaves by some small growers. These practices have resulted in elevated pesticide levels, rendering the dried tea unsellable and leading to substantial economic setbacks for the association. Despite appeals to authorities for a solution, including the state and central governments and the Tea Board of India, no viable alternatives have been provided, prompting the association to take this drastic measure.
The shutdown is poised to have a profound impact on Assam’s tea industry, where these factories play a pivotal role in tea production.
Addressing concerns raised by the All Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association regarding the closure’s intent to manipulate raw leaf prices, ABLTMA clarified that prices are determined by the Tea Board of India based on a predetermined formula.
The regulatory landscape, notably the directives from the Tea Board of India and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India banning certain insecticides, underscores the urgency and rationale behind ABLTMA’s decision to cease operations indefinitely.
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