The newly formed eight-member National Advisory Committee of the Tea Board to monitor implementation of development schemes for small-scale sector at an outlay of Rs 200 crore will focus on concerted efforts by small growers, factory owners and the Tea Board for long-term benefits. “The small grower Directorate has already started functioning in the Tea Board. Nearly 100 field and factory officers have been newly appointed in North and South. Our Advisory Committee will work with them to guide, rather than regulate, the players on scientific cultivation and manufacturing methods to strengthen the fundamentals through quality production,” Tea Board Vice-Chairman Koshy Baby, who is Chairman of this Advisory Committee, told Business Line . “Formation of about 4,000 self help groups (SHG) of tea small growers to route all subsidies through them, launching crash programme for timely pruning and replanting old bushes are our priority,” said Tea Board member S. Ramu, who represents South India on this Advisory Committee.
Farmers are being motivated to benefit from the Tea Board’s recent scheme for establishing mini and micro factories.