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 below:
| 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
The soil and climate of the North EasternRegion, particularly the State of Assam, is well suited for growing tea. The state-wise details of organic cultivation in the North Eastern States is as under:
| Sl no | States | Number of Organic Tea Gardens and Small Holdings | Area of Holdings (Hectare) |
| 1 | Assam | 45 | 3439.87 |
| 2 | Mizoram | 3 | 74.00 |
| 3 | Nagaland | 3 | 67.90 |
| 4 | Tripura | 15 | 93.56 |
| 5 | Meghalaya | 3 | 62.47 |
| Total | 69 | 3737.80 |
Source: Tea Board
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 3 years is given below:
| Financial assistance under scheme TD&PS | ||||
| State | Year | Activity | Physical | Financial
(Rs. In Lakhs) |
| Assam | 2016-17 | Replanting in organic gardens | 1 Garden* | 1.02 |
| Orthodox subsidy to organic gardens | 3 Gardens | 7.44 | ||
| 2017-18 | Replanting in organic gardens | 3.17 ha | 4.71 | |
| Orthodox subsidy to organic gardens | 5 Gardens | 17.33 | ||
| 2018-19 | Replanting in organic garden | 17.04 ha | 47.68 | |
| Orthodox subsidy to organic gardens | 2 Gardens | 9.41 | ||
| Setting up organic mini tea factory | 1 Factory | 11.73 | ||
| Setting up organic big tea factory | 1 Factory | 143.56 | ||
| Promotional event for organic tea garden | 1 Event | 0.50 | ||
| Organic Self Help Group (SHG) (22 members) | 1 SHG | 7.25 | ||
| Tripura | 2018-19 | Organic Certification | 1 Garden | 0.08 |
| Total | 250.70 | |||
| Registration / certificates issued under Control 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 | ||||
*2nd installment.
Source: Tea Board
This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, PiyushGoyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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