Grameen Sahara Holds Consultative Meeting on Small Tea Growers’ Development in BTR

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KOKRAJHAR: Grameen Sahara on Monday organized a consultative meeting with the government officials on the institutional development of the Small Tea Growers at the conference hall of BTC Secretariat.

Grameen Sahara, a non-profit making organization, has been promoting ‘SusTAIN- Sustainable Tea Leaf Production through Agro-ecological Intervention’ in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The SusTAIN Project, supported by the Transform Trade (TT), aims to foster innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges.

The TT partners with producer collectives and social enterprises worldwide, offering support through grant-making, partnerships, and advocacy. Their mission is to build a brighter future for communities and extend their positive impact globally.

During the event, Vikramaditya Das, Executive Director of Grameen Sahara, emphasized the organization’s commitment to sustainable livelihoods and income generation initiatives. He highlighted that 80% of the associated beneficiaries are women, which has significantly encouraged women’s participation in these programmes. Key areas of focus include agricultural development, irrigation support, financial literacy, and government advocacy.

The chief guest, Digantha Thapa, District Agricultural Officer of Kokrajhar, provided detailed insights on the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan scheme, explaining the 7% interest rate and the 3% subvention available upon full repayment. He also discussed the Plant Protection Code, vendors under the PMKSY scheme for drip irrigation and machinery, and shared ideas on integrated farming, such as cocoa as boundary crops, spice and kanchan plantations, and beekeeping. He emphasized the importance of convergence between STGs, government departments, and other stakeholders to establish sustainable, profit-oriented business models.

Kuntal Purkayastha, District Development Manager of NABARD, Kokrajhar, spoke about the various schemes accessible to STGs through the formation of producer collectives and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). He highlighted programmes including exposure visits, technical training, and support for value addition, packaging, and branding. He also elaborated on the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, which offers loans up to Rs 2 crore at an interest rate capped at 9%, as well as training in climate-resilient farming using modern technology and early warning systems.

Meanwhile, Bichitra Birjya Narzary, District Programme Manager at ASRLM, Kokrajhar, discussed the formation of FPCs. He noted that these are designed to reduce production costs through collective action. He explained the FPC structure, including initial equity contributions of Rs 10,000 per farmer, the formation of a Board of Directors, and the appointment of a CEO. He also provided valuable insights into the SFURTI project.

Dr Subhangkar Roy, Agri-Marketing Manager and a key trainer associated with Grameen Sahara, stressed the importance of soil health and minimizing the use of harmful chemicals. He encouraged STGs to adopt natural farming practices and proper methods of plucking and pruning to enhance the quality of tea production.

Bijit Basumatary, Secretary of the All-Bodoland Small Tea Growers Association, shared the practical challenges faced in forming FPCs, citing issues such as farmer mobilization and fund regulation. Despite these difficulties, they successfully established Chakrasila Tea and Agro Producers Company Limited. He advocated for agro-ecological practices to maintain environmental balance and reduce chemical dependency. He also runs an Organic Orthodox and Green Tea Factory in Kangkrikhola, Kokrajhar.

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