Tea processing unit set up to benefit small tea growers

Tripura, May 29 (ANI): The modernised central tea processing factory at Brahmakunda in Tripura has been set up at a cost of Rs 8.35 crores, with around half the amount as financial assistance from the North East Council (NEC). The factory was inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. The Chief Minister appealed to the private tea garden owners of the state to invest in the sector by setting up processing factories and assured all help from the government. Tea growers and workers are slowly returning to gardens as militancy is on the wane in the state. During the early nineties, most of the garden owners and workers had fled the tea estates due to rise in militant activities. The tea business suffered a huge loss. Tea production in the state is supplemented by small growers, who mostly grow tea in small holdings measuring one hectare or more. At present, there are 54 tea estates besides 4,346 small tea growers in Tripura. An estimated 20,000 people are employed in small gardens. Tripura at present holds the fifth position after Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the list of 14 tea-producing states in the country. Tripura tea is now exported to Iran, Russia and America. There is also a plan to export green tea to Houston in America.

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