Smallholder Tea Economy in Assam and North Bengal

Abstract

This chapter analyses the nature of farms, holding-size distribution, land rights of STGs and procedural issues relating to their emergence in Assam and North Bengal. Though the smallholders came in existence in early 1990s, yet within a short span of time, they have become an important contributor in tea economy over the years in relations to production and employment provider in rural areas in both the states. Secondly, it highlights the role of state and how its various agencies have neglected the smallholders over the years either by provincial or by national governments. It further focuses on how Tea Board of India has failed to regulate the green leaf market in the tea supply chain and allowed the entry of an army of leaf agents (middlemen) to exploit the STGs in both the states vis-à-vis other Indian states. The Small Grower Development Directorate (SGDD) and Sub-Regional Offices (SROs) of Tea Board of India have inadequately implemented the Tea Marketing Control Order (TMCO) as per the Gazette Notification of Ministry of Commerce and Industry (2015). In fact, the composition of District Green Leaf Price Monitoring Committee (DGLPMC) and its monthly meetings and reporting, resolutions and disseminations are unheard by smallholders on ground. The officials of SGDD of Tea Board found ineffective in delivery of their extension services to the smallholder community in the field at large. It also analyses the policy failure of Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is also reported and found that there is an absence of linking Price-Sharing Formula of Tea Board with Price Stabilisation Fund Scheme and did not receive attention of smallholders to register under the scheme in most of the small tea growing states in India. Lastly, the local initiatives and development-from-below have resulted in tea processing and marketing either individually in Upper Assam or collectively in Dooars of North Bengal by progressive STGs and their Associations.