North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) in a memorandum to Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal sought these measures. Goyal who was in Guwahati recently held a pivotal dialogue with a diverse array of stakeholders from Assam’s tea industry, including representatives from producer associations, labour unions, and consumer associations.
NETA stated, “Though in the initial months of tea season 2024 FSSAI compliance emerged as a challenge for the tea industry, but it is encouraging to note that the industry has achieved compliance to a considerable extent. Out of the 33 approved pesticides for tea for which MRLs are fixed there is hardly any non-compliance. Non-compliance is mainly on six off-label pesticides (Acetamiprid, Imidacloprid, Cypermethrin, Dinotefuran, Acephate and Fipronil) as the default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg gets applied. Out of the six off-label pesticides, the main concern is of Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid. The dossier for label claim extension of Acetamiprid and Imidacloprid had already been submitted to CIB&RC and therefore it is expected to get approved soon”.
NETA added, “ Selling of tea through private mode and public auctions both are in existence for last more than 150 years. Both the modes are time tested system, and both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Producers should be at liberty to sell their produce in whatever manner they feel comfortable. Business model of different tea producing companies are different and hence a particular policy decision may not suit everybody. Those who are comfortable of selling through auction are at liberty to do so and similarly those who are comfortable selling through private mode should not be compelled to sell through public auctions. Tea Producers prefer to sell through auction or private based on market dynamics. For an efficient auction system, the selling time and selling cost should be reasonable.Though Tea Board has been trying to bring the printing time from 19 days to 17 days but in Sale No. 48 (held on 26th Nov) in Guwahati auction the printing time reached 28 days and 40% CTC teas remained UNSOLD!!! One of the reasons for longer printing time is minimum lot size of 20 bags from June to October”.
NETA said, “Tea Board has engaged M/s BDO India LLP to do a pilot study on the tea consumption in domestic market. According to the study, the Per Capita Consumption of Tea in India is 840 gm in 2023 compared to 786 gm in 2017 and 730 gm in 2007. According to the study, consumption of tea is generally expected to increase with rise in income; however, the growth in Per Capita Consumption (PCC) of tea in India is low compared to a few other countries with similar Per Capita Income (PCI) growth”.
Ajay Dhandharia chairman NETA said, “Share of tea exports in production has reduced from 60% in 1960s to 16% in 2023 with export volume largely stagnant. Export from India was 231.08 million kgs in 2022 and 231.69 million kgs in 2023.A target to reach 300 million kgs exports from India would help demand-supply mismatch in the domestic market. He added, “As per Tea Research Association (TRA), there has been substantial reduction in total amount of annual rainfall received in last few years. As per the study of 2023, the month wise distribution of rainfall is less when compared to long term monthly rainfall.Also, as per the study of TRA, in the year 2023, the Tocklai MET station had recorded that the temperature was greater than or equal to 35°C for 38 number of days. The monthly average maximum temperature (upto August 2024) was found to be nearly 1°C higher than long term normal. Therefore, mitigation measures to face the challenges of climate change have to be taken by industry with support from the Government – climate smart cultivars, proper shade status, irrigation (sprinkler/drip), rainwater harvesting etc”.