NONGPOH: The organic tea growers of Umsning in Ri Bhoi, who have to sell their leaves due to lack of a processing unit, will soon get their own unit.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma laid the foundation stone of the organic tea processing unit of the ARSLA Tea Grower’s Producer Cooperative Society Ltd at Tea Development Centre in Umsning area.
B.W Chyne, Secretary of the Arsla Organic Tea Growers & Producers Cooperative Society Ltd, said the cooperative society and also tea plantation in Ri Bhoi started 30 year ago when there was no processing unit in the district. All green leaves sold by farmers were arranged by the Tea Development Centre at Umsning and sent to Assam.
“Small tea growers formed the ARSLA Organic Tea Growers and Producer Cooperative Society Ltd, which was registered on April 25, 2013, with the objective to have its own processing unit and sell the organic tea at a price that will enable farmers to maintain their garden, expand plantation and maintain their family with the income derived from their own gardens,” Chyne said.
Congratulating the tea growers, Sangma said the society’s positive approach to cater to the needs of the small tea growers who were under its umbrella and for the growth of tea plantation in the district is laudable.
“For the smooth growth of tea plantation in the district, it is high time for the society to have committed members and stakeholders. Though they might face hurdles in extending their plantations but through their positive commitment and determination all this will surely vanish and bring success,” Sangma said.
Chyne said almost all small tea growers got the support from the government to start the plantation and for maintenance of their garden for a certain period of time.
Among other guests were DD Lapang, Chief Adviser to the government, P. Sampath Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary, Agriculture, Maqbool Lyngdoh Suiam, Assistant Director Agriculture, Deputy Commissioner CP Gothmare, and R.P Singh, Superintendent of Police.
