Assam Chief Minister Sarbandna Sonowal on Wednesday inaugurated Training of Small Tea Growers on Tea Quality titled ‘Mission Assam QualiTea’ at Assam Agricultural University in Jorhat.
Assam Chief Minister Sonowal also distributed cheques to small tea growers under new plantation scheme 2018-19 at the same programme.
It may be noted that since 2016-17 as per budgetary promise, the state government has been giving financial incentives to small tea growers under new plantation scheme.
Rs. 5000 is given for every bigha of land with highest allocation for a land of 20 bigha.
In the first phase, 3397 tea growers were benefitted and in the second phase which was launched on Wednesday, a total of 1099 tea growers will be benefitted.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal said that since taking over the reign of power in 2016, the state government has taken several welfare schemes for the equal development of all sections of the people of the state in all 33 districts.
For transforming Assam into a front-ranking state the small tea growers must work with dedication to produce quality tea for capturing the world market.
Stating that the 200-year-old tea industry of late has faced tremendous challenges, Chief Minister Sonowal has asked the tea growers to improve quality of tea using the latest technology.
He also appealed to the small tea growers not to confine themselves within the four boundaries of the state and venture into the world to showcase their class and supremacy.
The present state government hiked the allocation for every bigha of land from Rs. 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per bigha, setting up of Small Tea Grower’s Office at Jorhat and allocation of Rs. 1 crore for the same are some of the steps that were taken for the promotion of small tea growers.
Assam Commerce and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, who also spoke on the occasion, said that considering the immense role played by small tea growers, the present state government has taken this revolutionary steps for empowering small tea growers.
Minister of State (i/c) for Power Topon Kumar Gogoi also spoke on the occasion.
MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Director Toklai Tea Research Centre Anup Kumar Baruah, president of All Assam Small Tea Growers Association Rajen Bora, also spoke on the occasion.
MLAs Jogen Mohan and Kushal Duori were also present on the occasion.