STRUGGLING TEA PLANTATION OWNERS
Dry spell impact: Darjeeling tea prices shoots up 10-15% this season
Darjeeling tea has been facing nature's wrath for quite some time now. In 2022, Darjeeling tea production was 6.93 million kg. In 2023, it dwindled to 6.18 million kg. Violent agitations in the hills in 2017 and recent resurgence in the demand for Gorkhaland ahead of the ongoing elections, too, have impacted the gardens and their profitability in a big way even as demand is growing within the country, industry insiders said.
Budget 2024: Assam tea industry seeks exports promotion policy
Interim Budget Expectations: The ailing tea industry in Assam is hoping for proper promotion and export improvement in the upcoming Union interim budget. The industry is facing oversupply in the domestic market and tepid export demand. The Bharatiya Chai Parishad has also urged state government to reduce the industry's social cost burden. India is the fourth-largest tea exporter and contributes 23% to global tea output.
Read the tea leaves: Climate change taking toll on Darjeeling tea gardens and workers
Varsha*, a 34-year-old tea garden worker, doesn't have a string of degrees, isn't privy to decision making in the estate but knows only too well why day to day life has become so difficult. She suffers from breathing difficulties, eczema on her hands and feet, and persistent heaviness in her chest. Despite her many struggles, she perseveres at her job of picking tea leaves.
India's tea industry getting drowsy, needs some 'kadak' measures
If strong measures are not taken, the industry could be struggling for survival. It is beset by problems on several fronts: Price, demand, production and labour. If global demand going tepid wasn't enough, it now faces challenges from climate change,
Tea planters suffering from 'crop loss', 'falling' prices in Tripura
Tea plantations, the second largest industry in the state after rubber, are facing "crop loss" this season due to a drought-like situation, Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) chairman Santosh Saha said.
200 years and counting, Assam's tea industry continues glory run
Renowned globally for its richly coloured and aromatic tea, Assam, the country's largest tea producer provides livelihood to millions with many others directly or indirectly dependent on the plantation sector. Assam now produces nearly 700 million kg of tea annually and accounts for around half of India's overall tea production. The state also generates annual foreign exchange earnings estimated at an equivalent to Rs 3,000 crore.
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150,000 Bangladeshi tea workers strike against dollar-a-day wages
The minimum wage for a tea plantation worker in the country is 120 taka a day -- about $1.25 at official rates, but only just over a dollar on the free market. One worker said that was barely enough to buy food, let alone other necessities.
Tea garden workers from North Bengal to launch protest if minimum wage demand not met
A mega rally has been called by a joint forum of tea garden unions on June 6 in Siliguri, where the unions of all political parties, including ruling All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Left parties and the BJP, will demand implementation of minimum wage at a market appropriate rate.
Deforestation: Why COP26 agreement will struggle to reverse global forest loss by 2030
Saving the world's dwindling forests is essential if we are to avoid dangerous climate change. Forests soak up carbon from the atmosphere and cutting them down releases it. On balance, forests removed about 7.6 billion tonnes of carbon every year over the last two decades. This is roughly 15% of global emissions.
Assam is setting up a tea Park at Kamrup district's Chayygaon, says Chandra Mohan Patowary
Coinciding with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav of 75 years of Indian Independence, Tea Board of India; Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India & Industries, State Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprise Department has organized a two-day ‘Vanijya Utsav & Mega Export Conclave’ from September 21-22 in Guwahati.
Tea with a view of Kanchenjunga: Darjeeling tea estates opening their properties for tourism
Darjeeling’s famous tea estates are opening their gates to visitors for another sensorial stimulation—a bungalow stay with a view of the lofty Kanchenjunga to make the morning cuppa more enjoyable.
400,000 tea garden workers reeling under Covid-19 impact
While both the BJP and Trinamool Congress had promised Rs 350 as minimum wage for tea garden workers during the 2021 assembly poll campaign, no meeting under the Minimum Wages Act and statutory labour regulations, has been held so far. Low wages coupled with the slow vaccination process are making life tough for these workers. There is almost 80% attendance in tea gardens, known to be the country’s second largest employer.
State polls: When elections come around, tea workers — nobody’s people — become everyone’s voters
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Varia and 2,000 labourers took to the streets under the All Adivasi Women’s Association (AAWA), demanding a near doubling of daily wages to Rs 351 as against the stop-gap increase of Rs 50 on poll eve by the BJP government of Sarbananda Sonowal and his deputy Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Rs 10 crore provision in Budget for promotion of tea industry: Arunachal Pradesh deputy CM Chowna Mein
Mein lauded the achievement of double line tea factory having highest brand of plant and machinery available in the country. The factory has processing capacity of 50.00 lakhs kg to 60 lakhs kg of green tea leaf per annum.
Tea industry in India suffers double whammy from rains and Kenya
Heavy rains and the absence of tea pickers because of lockdowns have hammered production and sent local prices spiraling to records, while top buyers are turning to Kenya where the market has dropped
Tea gardens in Barak Valley need power supply: Tea Association of India to Assam govt
TAI stated that the Tea industry in Assam and elsewhere struggles to battle various odds. However, the Cachar region of Assam is battling yet another challenge that comes from the Power supply by APDCL
Save the brew: Tourism will help Darjeeling, but the world-renowned tea shouldn't be flushed down in the process
Darjeeling shut down and most of the first flush was lost.
Assam tea workers get only 7 per cent of price, says report
For a 200 gram packet of branded Assam tea sold in India for Rs 68, less than Rs 5 is left for workers.
Large scale worker’s absenteeism is putting tea plantations into crisis
As the planters explained, a tea worker receives a daily cash wage of Rs 150 and directly work output linked incentive. In addition, there are other benefits.
Congress will fight for tea-garden workers: Rahul Gandhi
"It's sad that the Prime Minister talks about 'chai pe charcha' but does not talk or care about those who provide that tea", he said.
Kanan Devan: The first tea plantation company to be majority-owned by workforce, employee-stakeholders launch their biggest agitation
The strikes were an aberration but what has happened has happened. There will be no victimisation, says Mathew Abraham, managing director, KDHP.
In addition to wage disputes, rains are fomenting trouble for Kerala plantations
Unlike tea or rubber, if the cardamom is not harvested now it will be damaged in the heavy downpour occurring in the state in the last several days.
West Bengal tea plantation employees Welfare Fund bill passed
Labour Minister said that the bill will will provide interest subvention and matching grants to the employers of tea gardens as soft loan.
Why white tea has replaced green tea as the new drink sensation
Handpicked as single unopened bud of the tea plant, white tea is considered to be healthier than even the green tea. It's a niche product.
31 cases filed against tea garden owners for irregularities
Assam govt said it has registered cases under Plantation Labour Act against number of tea garden owners for not implementing various schemes and welfare measures for workers.
Assam CM urges Deputy Commissioners to scrutinize Plantation labour act
Tea tribe constitutes 17 per cent of the State’s population and its support is crucial for forming the next government in 2016.
Indian planters demand scraping of several levies imposed on tea plantations
Association wants some sops from govt like scrapping of plantation tax of Rs 700 per hectare & land tax of Rs 500 per hectare to tide over crisis
Tea belt is suffering from heat wave and lack of rainfall
Unprecedented heat-wave prevailing in Dooars and Sub Himalayan region and largely inadequate rainfall there have put tea plantation in deep crisis.
Small Tea planters under crisis at Indo-Bangla border
It is a problem of different kind and unique in its own nature. A situation being faced by Indian small tea garden owners at Indo-Bangladesh border.
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