Small tea growers in the Nilgiris have hailed the measures initiated by the Tea Board towards regulating the functioning of the tea factories.
“Though late, the Board has at least now brought in certain measures to regulate the factories. The measures include creation of a District Price Monitoring Committee (DPMC) with representation from the Small Tea Growers (STG) community, declaration of an average price at the start of every month and particulars from the factories on the quantum of green leaves procured, quantity of made tea produced and the rate at which they have been sold at the auction or private sale and other details. Such measures will benefit the small tea growers (STG),” said H.N. Sivan, President of the Nilgiris Nelikolu Micro & Small Tea Growers and Farmers Development Society (NSTF).
“But there is no mention about the ‘green tea leaf agents,” he said and explained that the agents actually procured the leaf from the STGs at the village level and supplied them to the factories. Nearly 60 per cent of the supplies is through agents.
“Since the small grower concerned will not know the factory to which the leaf from his garden has been supplied, regulation of these agents is equally important. They must be registered with the Tea Board and made liable for the supply of the leaves from the small growers,” he said.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/small-growers-hail-tea-boards-regulatory-measures/article5029453.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy
Small growers hail Tea Board’s regulatory measures
