Small Tea Growers as major producer and Potential Employment Generator in North Bengal Region: A Short Review

Abstract

Tea is the most widely consumed non-alcoholic drink next to water. This agro-based industry provides employment to millions. India is one of the leading producers of tea. Indian tea plantations were usually large holdings but small tea growers have come up as a major contributor in last few years. The small tea growers sell their green harvest to local bought tea leaf factories or large-scale plantations with tea factories. In North Bengal, the family members take active participation in the plantation business. To keep pace with the increasing green leaf production bought tea leaf factories got established. Tea board of India and multiple associations came forward to help the small tea growers. Despite all sorts of inputs, the small tea growers face several problems like low price of green leaf, increase in cultivation cost, lack of irrigation facilities, pest infestations, lack of training or expertise, unregulated growth of small tea growers, competition with large holdings and foreign tea companies etc. Besides this, lack of improvised technology and climate change are hurdles for small tea growers. Self-help groups are formed to address and solve these issues. In spite of all the odds, small tea growers have emerged as major producer and employment generator in northern districts of West Bengal.