Assam Branch Indian Tea Association's 131st annual general meeting held in Jorhat

The 131st annual general meeting of the Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) was held virtually at Jorhat office zone 2
Assam Branch Indian Tea Association's 131st annual general meeting held in Jorhat

A CORRESPONDENT

JORHAT: The 131st annual general meeting of the Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) was held virtually at Jorhat office zone 2 on Wednesday, which was chaired by Nayantara Palchoudhury, chairperson of Indian Tea Association (ITA).

Addressing the annual general meeting, chairperson Nayantara Palchoudhury said, "COVID has taken its toll with more than 2 billion population affected worldwide in the last two years. Its impact on mankind notwithstanding, I acknowledge the selfless efforts in all units in Assam in fighting the challenges and keeping the situation under control."

ITA in its pre-budget memorandum to the State Government had pleaded for continuation of the exemption on green leaf cess which the State Government has considered for another three years from January 2022.The State Budget covered capital infrastructure support for promoting guest houses and tourists facilities in 50 selected tea gardens, diversification into agro forestry solar power projects, providing pipe drinking water to 2.9 lakh tea garden households and the State Government taking over the management of 436 tea garden schools.

"The drop in India's production for two successive years 2020-2021 has helped in correcting the demand supply mismatch with the wiping out of the huge surplus stock in 2021. Assam has seen a decline of 8 per cent, which is almost 54 mkg when compared to 2019. In the global context, the total world output estimated at around 6470 mkg in 2021 is higher by 3 per cent and 5 per cent in comparison to 2020 and 2019 respectively. With production increasing, prices are getting affected as predicted by the FAO some time back," she said.

She said that at the current price levels, the industry could not sustain. "The leading buyers must show the way for sustainable sourcing so that tea is sold above the CoP," she added.

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