Assam: Solidaridad, STGA Launch Tea Carts to Empower Youth in Tinsukia

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: In a significant step towards empowering unemployed youth and promoting locally-produced tea, the international civil society organization Solidaridad, in collaboration with the Small Tea Growers Association (STGA), ceremonially launched three tea carts in Tinsukia district on Tuesday.

The initiative, part of Solidaridad’s ongoing support to small tea growers (STGs) across Assam, aims to address the dual challenge of youth unemployment and the limited market reach of teas processed by STGs and Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs). While India produces nearly 1,000 million kilograms of tea annually, a substantial portion—around 350 million kilograms—is sold through tea stalls, indicating the potential for retail-driven growth in the sector.

Some small tea growers also operate their own BLFs to process green leaves plucked from their plantations. However, their teas often struggle to find a market—even locally. This initiative empowers tea vendors by providing them with tea carts from which black, green etc. teas produced by STGs will be sold. It will help build a market presence for these teas while generating income for the youth.

The carts, designed for mobile tea vending, offer a platform for showcasing locally made brews, thereby expanding market visibility and direct-to-consumer access for small tea growers. The handover ceremony, held at Makum Bypass Chariali, was presided over by Rana Moran, president of the Tinsukia district STGA.

Distinguished guests at the event included Uddhab Chandra Sarmah and Mokshadev Das from Solidaridad, Nabajyoti Boro from the Tea Board of India, and small tea growers Haider Ali and Mohammad Amin, who also addressed the gathering. Also in attendance were key figures from regional organizations, including Girish Chetia, president of Barekuri Anchalik Small Tea Growers Association, and representatives from the Krishnachura Horti Feed Farmer Producer Company—Jadunath Chetia, Montu Chetia, and Nikunja Mahanta. From Solidaridad, Pronoy Dutta and Krishanu Phukan also participated in the programme. The three tea carts were formally inaugurated by Uddhab Chandra Sarmah (Solidaridad), Nabajyoti Boro (Tea Board of India), and Rana Moran (STGA Tinsukia), marking a milestone in Solidaridad’s ongoing efforts to support sustainable livelihoods and inclusive market systems in Assam’s tea sector.

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