Meghalaya tea gets organic certification

The certification for processing and plantation have been given to Urlong tea factory in East Khasi Hills district and Nalan Tea industries and government-owned Meg Tea processing unit in Ri-Bhoi district.

India Organic which awarded the certificates has approved that black tea, CTC tea, green tea and hand-rolled tea from these factories are considered as organic certified.

The certificates are valid for a period of one year.

At present, about 35 farmers are engaged in production of tea in a total area of 92 hectares.

India Organic has also mentioned that these factories could produce about 20 MT of organic black tea, 50 MT of organic CTC tea, 20 MT of organic green tea besides 20 MT of organic hand-rolled tea.

According to officials of the horticulture department, once the product is organic certified, it commands a very good price in the markets, even internationally.

This certification is also accepted in the US and in Europe, the officials said.

The Meghalaya government has also applied for organic certification of another 50 ha of tea plantation in both in the high and low land areas which could propel farmers to take up organic tea plantation on a more serious note.

Meghalaya produces approximately about 600 MT of orthodox tea and about 5 MT of high value green tea.