GANGTOK,: Rajya Sabha MP DT Lepcha has sought replies from the Commerce &
Industry ministry on what support is being provided by the Centre to the tea
growers in Sikkim, given that Sikkim is encouraging tea plantation in all six
districts.
Lepcha
placed his queries to the Union Commerce & Industry minister during the
ongoing Union Budget session in the Parliament. He also asked if any specific
initiatives are planned to promote Sikkim’s tea industry on a national and
international scale.
In his
written reply, Commerce & Industry MoS Jitin Prasada stated that the Tea
Board, under the Tea Development & Promotion Scheme, approved for 2023-24
to 2025-26, provide support to tea growers all over the country including in
Sikkim for various activities.
These
support activities include re-plantation of old and senile tea bushes, raising
of tea nurseries, mobilization of small growers into Self Help Groups / Farmer
Producer Organisations and providing them common facilities such as field
mechanization equipment, leaf carriage vehicles, pruning machines and support
for setting up mini tea factories. The Tea Board also conducts trainings and
capacity building workshops for tea growers on field management practices and
plant protection formulation application for improving production, productivity
and quality of tea.
“Tea Board
regularly promotes Indian tea, including Sikkim Tea, in domestic and
international markets. Promotion of Sikkim Tea is carried out by Tea Board
through participation in various domestic and international promotional events,
fairs, exhibitions, tea tasting and tea sampling activities and through various
Indian Missions abroad,” replied the MoS.
