Lok Sabha Question No. 2822 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Organic Tea Farming
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2822 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th JULY, 2019

## ORGANIC TEA FARMING

## 2822. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Tea Board of India proposes to accord priority for the promotion and development of organic tea farming in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the climate of North Eastern States, particularly in the State of Assam is best for organic tea farming and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Tea  Board  has  taken  any  action  for  promotion  of  organic  tea farming in Assam by facilitating certification, etc.; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of licenses issued to the tea farmers/tea  gardens  of  Assam  and  the  funds  allocated  for  promotion  of organic tea farming in North Eastern Region during the last three years, Statewise?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): Yes  Sir. The  Tea  Board  has  accorded  due  priority  under  the  Tea  Development  & Promotion Scheme (TD&PS) for the promotion and development of organic tea farming in the country.  The activity along with assistance provided are given in the following table:

|   S.No. | Activity                           | Assistance                                                                                     |
|---------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Organic Certification (Plantation) | 50% of cost of certification including renewals with ceiling of Rs.2.00 lakhs per certificate. |
|       2 | Organic certification (Factory)    | 50% of cost of certificate with ceiling of Rs.2.00 Lakhs per factory per financial year.       |
|       3 | Organic Conversion                 | Rs.2.00 lakhs per ha for small tea growers                                                     |

Source:  Tea Board

(b): The soil and climate of the North Eastern Region, particularly the State of Assam, is well suited for growing tea.  The state-wise details of organic cultivation in the North Eastern States is given in the following table:

| Sl no   | States    |   Number of Organic Tea Gardens and Small Holdings |   Area of Holdings (Hectare) |
|---------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| 1       | Assam     |                                                 45 |                      3439.87 |
| 2       | Mizoram   |                                                  3 |                        74    |
| 3       | Nagaland  |                                                  3 |                        67.9  |
| 4       | Tripura   |                                                 15 |                        93.56 |
| 5       | Meghalaya |                                                  3 |                        62.47 |
|         | Total     |                                                 69 |                      3737.8  |

Source:  Tea Board

(c) & (d): Tea Board is providing financial assistance for the promotion of organic tea under the Tea Development & Promotion Scheme.  Financial assistance of Rs.2.00 Lakh per ha. is provided to the small tea growers for conversion to organic farming.  The State wise details during the last 03 years is given in the following table:

| Financial assistance under scheme TD&PS   | Financial assistance under scheme TD&PS   | Financial assistance under scheme TD&PS    | Financial assistance under scheme TD&PS   | Financial assistance under scheme TD&PS   |
|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| State                                     | Year                                      | Activity                                   | Physical                                  | Financial (Rs. In Lakhs)                  |
|                                           | 2016-17                                   | Replanting in organic gardens              | 1 Garden*                                 | 1.02                                      |
|                                           | 2016-17                                   | Orthodox subsidy to organic gardens        | 3 Gardens                                 | 7.44                                      |
|                                           | 2017-18                                   | Replanting in organic gardens              | 3.17 ha                                   | 4.71                                      |
|                                           | 2017-18                                   | Orthodox subsidy to organic gardens        | 5 Gardens                                 | 17.33                                     |
| Assam                                     | 2018-19                                   | Replanting in organic garden               | 17.04 ha                                  | 47.68                                     |
|                                           | 2018-19                                   | Orthodox subsidy to organic gardens        | 2 Gardens                                 | 9.41                                      |
|                                           | 2018-19                                   | Setting up organic mini tea factory        | 1 Factory                                 | 11.73                                     |
|                                           | 2018-19                                   | Setting up organic big tea factory         | 1 Factory                                 | 143.56                                    |
|                                           | 2018-19                                   | Promotional event for organic tea garden   | 1 Event                                   | 0.50                                      |
|                                           | 2018-19                                   | Organic Self Help Group (SHG) (22 members) | 1 SHG                                     | 7.25                                      |
| Tripura                                   | 2018-19                                   | Organic Certification                      | 1 Garden                                  | 0.08                                      |
| Total 250.70 Order                        | Total 250.70 Order                        | Total 250.70 Order                         | Total 250.70 Order                        | Total 250.70 Order                        |
| Assam                                     | 2016-17                                   | Setting up organic big tea factory         | 1 Factory                                 | Registration issued                       |
| Meghalaya                                 | 2018-19                                   | Setting up organic mini tea factory        | 1 Factory                                 | Certificate issued                        |
| Total = 2                                 | Total = 2                                 | Total = 2                                  | Total = 2                                 | Total = 2                                 |

*2 nd installment.

## Source:  Tea Board

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