Small tea growers in north Bengal are facing problems

SILIGURI, 14 OCT: Small tea growers in north Bengal are facing problems after a sudden fall in the price of green tea leaves. Although the Tea Board has framed a price-sharing formula to fix the price of green tea leaves and the amount payable to small tea growers, a section of them have suffered huge losses.
Small tea planters have started agitations in different places, including Bidhan Nagar in Siliguri, Islampur in North Dinajpur and in the Jalpaiguri area.
The United Forum of Small Tea Growers’ Association (UFSTGA) has faxed a message to the Tea Board and state commerce and industries minister Mr Partha Chatterjee seeking their assistance to resolve the present crisis.
The UFSTGA president, Mr BG Chakraborty, said that nearly 30,000 small tea growers had suffered huge losses after a sharp fall in price.
“Before Puja, the rate of green leaf was Rs 12 to 13 per kg. But after Puja, the present rate is Rs 3 to 4 per kg at bought leaf factories,” said Mr Chakraborty. “The production cost of green tea leaves is Rs 10.50 per kg,” he added.
According to Mr Chakraborty, small tea growers are producing at least 79 million kg of green tea leaves per year, which accounts for 37 per cent of total production in the region. A total of 89 bought leaf factories are running to procure green leaves from small growers. In 2004, there were 77 bought leaf factories.
“The previous Left Front government restricted the establishment of bought leaf factories from 2004 to 2009. After 2009, the state government gave permission to set up 12 more bought leaf factories. We have demanded more bought leaf factories be allowed to increase demand for green tea leaves,” said Mr Chakraborty.
The North Bengal Tea Producers’ Association president, Mr Sanjay Dhanuthi, said: “The small tea growers’ information about the price of green tea leaves is incorrect. During Puja, the tea plantations were closed and regular plucking of leaves was suspended. Since Puja, the production of green tea leaves has increased but the quality of leaves is very poor. We are unable to buy poor quality leaves at high rates.”
Mr Dhanuthi said: “The present auction price is less, at least Rs 40 per kg, than last year. And on top of this, Assam is producing high quality tea compared to our production. At present, we are paying Rs 6 to Rs 9 per kg of green tea leaves depending on its quality. We will pay a reasonable price when small tea growers are able to supply quality tea leaves.”

SNS