GUWAHATI: The Arsla Organic Tea Growers’ and Producers’ Cooperative Society has sought greater clarity in regard to central schemes for organic tea growers in Meghalaya.
The society comprises 37 organic tea growers in Ri Bhoi district, where bulk of the state’s tea is grown along with West Garo Hills district.
“We had approached the ministry of agriculture and farmers for availing of schemes. But it was pointed out that tea, unlike other farm products, falls under the ambit of the Tea Board of India which is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. However, the schemes of the Board have ceased to exist with the end of the 12th Plan last year. Till date, there is no clear-cut guideline or new policy from the Board,” KW Chyne, the co-promoter of the society, told The Shillong Times.
Tea Board sources here, however, told this correspondent that the Board was actively pursuing the matter with the ministry of commerce and industries.
“We are actively pursuing the matter with the ministry as organic farming is a priority area for us. The new guidelines from the Board will be out soon,” an official source confirmed.
The society, Chyne said, has since its formation in 2013, been supported by the state agriculture and horticulture departments. There are special provisions for non-traditional tea growing states like Meghalaya.
“There is a special package under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, which tea growers like us have not been able to avail because tea, like we were told, is not under the agriculture ministry. This is a problem for us as so far we have not been able to avail of benefits under government schemes,” Chyne, who is also the secretary of the Ri Bhoi Tea Growers’ Association, said.
“However, we are expecting that the Board comes up with new policies and guidelines soon so that organic tea growers can sustain production and thrive in the long run,” he added.
