Tears of tea

Tilak Chandra Deka

(The writer can be reached at tcdeka@gmail.com)

Colonial cousins have contributed to the state economy by patronizing the Tea industry with lots of hurdles although their motive was to generate revenue for their country. The Britishers have realized the health benefits of taking tea and the traditional Singpho culture of drinking tea prepared from the wild tea plantations was commercialized to become the most contributing financial backbone of the state economy which is still having great relevance for state revenue. The most lasting old industry of the state famous for its glorious pasts is currently struggling for its survival. Initially, to maintain the monopoly of the Britishers, local tea growers were discouraged for tea cultivation by various means. Maniram Dewan, the first Assamese tea planter who established two tea gardens namely Cinnamara at Jorhat and Selung in Sibasagar district had to face numerous administrative obstacles from the Britishers during the 1850s. But time has taken its course and now the state can boast of having approximately 81,000 HA of tea area grown by 1.45 lakhs of small tea growers all over the state which contributed around 50% of the total production and total plantation area of Assam. The state stands high of having the record of producing the highest quantities of tea in India even though its survival is at stake due to various reasons as follows -

In the beginning, selective hardworking labourers were brought from other states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Telangana etc., for tea cultivation. But over the years, these people settled down here and their cultural, behavioural, financial and socio-economic conditions are being changed. The new generation workers particularly the male workers are least interested to work as a garden labourers and they are more concerned with cash in hand by giving minimum possible time in work. The tendency of male workers for light work has become a hindrance to the industry. A new trend has been seen that they prefer to work in metro cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai etc., even though the cumulative benefits are almost the same here in tea gardens. A few middlemen exploit the workers and enjoy the advantage of sending them outside. Female workers in factories have become a common scene in almost all tea gardens due to the absence of male workers. The sense of belongingness amongst the workers is slowly declining because of which the management of the garden had to struggle for establishing a plantation. Initially, the green leaf was stolen by outsiders or nearby villagers but to some extent, it has penetrated amongst the garden workers also which is very difficult to control. Habitual absenteeism and availing sick leave without being sick are also problems faced by garden management. The intervention of unions in pretty matters very often creates tension and misunderstanding between unions and garden management leading to disruption of normal activities. Lack of education, habitual alcoholism, superstitions are also some of the social factors affecting the normal activities of tea garden workers as well as garden operations. Many a time the garden workers turn violent for very small causes creating numerous unpleasant examples which not at all favour the tea community and the plantation. Because of lack of education and awareness amongst the labourers, still, the age-old system of wage payment in cash continues in all gardens barring a few. Implementing wage payment through the bank will ease the disbursement, immensely benefit the workers and the management will also save 2% TDS on cash transactions which amount to several lakhs at the end of the year. Given the aggravated problems at the garden day by day, many of the large tea producers withdrew tea production and switch over to marketing. Currently, change in ownership of the gardens has become a common issue all over the country.

Being one of the most labour-intensive industry wages cover approximately 60% of the total cost of production which is mounting overhead day by day. In addition, spiralling cost inputs and the cost of statutory requirements are also adding to aggravation whereas the price of tea remains static instead of increasing proportionately. The per kg cost of production of CTC tea is around Rs 200.00 in most of the gardens.

Weather plays the most vital role in every aspect of production. The increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall which are beyond the control of human beings are serious causes of concern. This year, rainfall was recorded at its minimum coupled with very high temperature both of which are detrimental for tea production. Irrigation being very costly it may not be feasible for everyone to afford. Sometimes deep tube wells or the natural sources of water are also dried up in February/March.

The import of low-priced tea from Sri Lanka and African countries has become a serious threat to the industry. Most of the African gardens being comparatively new it is their privileged to have more fertile soil and higher production with the lesser cost of production. Market, Public transport, railways, schools, colleges and other institutions are partially closed due to the lockdown in the last two years which has drastically reduced the domestic consumption of tea.

Reduction of financial support from Tea Board of India: The only government body directly related to tea gardens is of great support to the industry but for the industry's sustainability more support is required. Although financial support is given to orthodox and green tea manufacturers the replanting subsidy is withdrawn for quite some time. Periodical uprooting of old sections and their replanting is very important for the sustainable production of a tea garden.

Depletion of soil microclimate occurs due to continuous monoculture. Barring the application of chemical fertilizer nothing has been done to improve soil health. In fact, to avoid the rehabilitation period a few companies go for direct planting after uprooting without doing the rehabilitation which causes harm to the soil in the long run due to continuous monoculture. Excessive use of chemicals for pest control and use of banned chemicals being an easy and cheap option should strictly be avoided. Such practices generate bad names to the industry and suffer marketing of not only their product but also the product of others.

The increasing influence of administration and local bodies also sometimes act as a hindrance to the industry. Very often various political parties use the tea garden labourers for their cause which neither help the workers nor the industry.

Most of the small tea growers sell their green leaf to the factories and their only motive is to increase the quantum without bothering the quality, as a result, substandard quality of tea floods the market affecting the average quality. Tea Board of India and small tea growers' associations have a major role to play administratively to resolve this issue which affects small tea growers as well as large factories where the green leaf is sold.

In the auction market, the domination of a few large buyers taking the advantage of lack of floor price affects the producers. Almost all tea companies follow a traditional system of selling teas to bulk purchasers who are readily available even at a lower price. Market promotion to the grassroots level by proper marketing will fetch more prices which are enjoyed by the racketeers or the large tea companies in the retail market with proper sale promotion. Producers should directly reach the consumers which will fetch more prices. The new generation is found to have more inclination towards beverages other than tea. Tea companies had to undertake strong sale promotion activities highlighting the health benefits due to therapeutic potentials and nonalcoholic nature as tea is facing a serious threat from other beverages.

Many bought leaf factories are less concerned with quality and their main aim is to increase the volume by various unscrupulous means. Tea waste disposal should be seriously looked into by the Tea Board of India.

Tocklai Tea Research Institute had a very significant contribution to the tea industry and has a great responsibility in reviving the industry but slowly it is losing its past credibility.

Considering the aforesaid circumstances revival of this industry is of prime importance. For this cost-effective tea, production is the only way. Farm mechanization is of prime importance so that plantation activities can be restored from shrinking mandays. The cost of pesticides can be reduced by self-generation of bio-pesticide using various Botanicals which are readily available in and around the garden and which are very cost-effective. Rebuilding the confidence of the workforce by providing their dues, good housing, healthcare facilities & schooling would enforce labourers to their tasks. Traditionally lots of unproductive mandays are spent in the name of Cowherd, Line chowkidars, Garden chowkidars etc., which can be avoided by implementing modern strategies with the help of the local union members. The unions should also come forward to cooperate with the garden management to cut the unproductive cost considering its sustainability. If all workers can be covered under Food Security Act the loads of providing ration can be reduced from the garden. Currently, many workers are found to avail both the benefits of ration from the government as well as from the garden. Most of the gardens have huge marginal lands area which can be used for solar power generation. Government institutions like IIT, NIT and TRA should undertake some research-based programmes on the revival of the tea industry. In recent years the government has taken several welcome moves by taking over the garden hospitals under NRHM, road repairing etc. Taking over the schools, housing and water supply is also in pipeline which will be advantageous for the industry.

The tea industry in Assam provides around 10 lakhs of direct employment mostly in remote areas of Assam where no other employment avenues are available. In addition, equal numbers of people are engaged indirectly. Government help is a must to reverse the downward trend of this oldest industry of Assam. A joint effort of the Tea Board of India, Government of Assam, TRA and other stack holders may be the only alternative for uplifting this industry.