Assam tea industry demands 'medium size estates' category

With the spectrum of land holding in tea industry too large, then industry has demanded the Tea Board that there be a third category of 'medium size estates' too, in addition to present small tea growers (STGs) and big tea estates in order to streamline the subsidy schemes. It also wants the definition of STG too be broadened to rationalise the categorisation.

At present, any tea grower having a land holding for tea cultivation up to 10.12 hectares (which is equal to 25 acres or 75 bighas) is considered as a STG and beyond 10.12 hectares is considered as a big tea estate.

The tea industry feels that 10.12 hectares criteria for STG be broadened up to 50.60 hectares (which is equal to 125 acres or 375 bighas) and there be a new category of 'medium sized estates' whose land holding be 50.60 hectares to 300 hectares. Anything above 300 hectares be classified as a big tea estate, demanded the tea industry.

"Today, a tea estate having 11 hectares of land holding is also a big tea estate and those such as Monabarie tea estate (having land holding of 1,141 hectares) and Kakojan tea estate (having land holding of 1,650 hectares) are also big tea estates. This itself shows the distortion in present categorisation process," said Bidyananda Barkakoty, chairman of North Eastern Tea Association (NETA).

According to the industry, broadening the definition of STG would help many first generation planters to avail government benefits under schemes meant for small growers.

"There are large numbers of tea estates between 50 hectares and 300 hectares which are financially weak and needs special attention and assistance from the government of India. They were the largest sufferers during the recession of the tea industry. Even after revival of the tea industry, these tea estates are taking more time for recovery compared to large sized gardens, for obvious reasons," said

Barkaktoy, while addressing the 16th biennial general meeting of NETA.

He added that separate subsidy schemes should be prepared for 'medium size estates' having an average yield of 15 quintals and below so that they can become a viable unit within a specific period of time.