Tea growers cry for govt attention in Kishanganj

PATNA: Though no longer a large name at the country’s tea map, it is a indisputable fact that good high quality of black tea is produced in Kishanganj district. In truth, round 20,000 tonne of tea is produced in this area of the state annually.

The locals, alternatively, are angry with the government for ignoring the potential of tea plantation in Kishanganj. The govt’s alleged forget may neatly play in the minds of the locals when they are going to workout their franchise in the second one phase of Lok Sabha polls on April 18.


The two blocks of Kishanganj – Pothia and Thakurganj – are doing exceptionally neatly in tea plantation, due to beneficial soil high quality and drainage device in the area. Not only Kishanganj, Tea Board of India has additionally declared Purnia, Katihar and Araria as suitable locations for tea plantation. These 3 constituencies in the Seemanchal area will even move to the polls on April 18.

“When we bring to mind tea plantation, hilly terrains come to our thoughts. Tea does no longer essentially mean Darjeeling hills. That’s Bollywood have an effect on. The climate is relatively cooler in Kishanganj as it is with reference to Darjeeling and water may be tired out correctly right here. Thus, the climate right here is very a lot very similar to tea-producing puts like Darjeeling and Siliguri,” stated Manish Daftari, whose circle of relatives owns one of the crucial largest tea estates and a processing unit in Kishanganj.

Manish stated his father Raj Karan Daftari was once the man who introduced tea plantation to Kishanganj. Originally into garment industry, Raj experimented with tea business in 1992 despite being warned of failure by his members of the family and pals. Luck was once by Raj’s facet and his new business prepared the ground for others to project into it.

“The tea plantation in Kishanganj is now spread over a space of 50,000 acres of land, giving livelihood to more than 1,000 other folks,” Raj stated.

Though there are just nine tea processing devices in Kishanganj, the production is way higher, enabling manufacturers to promote their produce in the neighbouring West Bengal as neatly.

Manish stated as according to the norms of Tea Board of India, 60% of the velocity at which processed tea is bought has to be given to the producer. “However, only 22% of the processed tea remains usable and calculation for returns to the producer is finished at the usable product only,” he added.

Tea manufacturers, alternatively, rued that the norm was once no longer followed, thereby compelling them to promote their produce at lower charges. Tanweer Alam, who owns a tea plantation in Belua panchayat, 10km clear of Kishanganj the town, stated he could earn an annual profit of just Rs 3 lakh. Alam blamed the “detached” attitude of the government for the plight of the tea manufacturers.

“The main bite of profit is enjoyed by the middlemen who promote packaged tea. These other folks earn a profit of round Rs 25 by selling 1kg of tea in opposition to Rs10 according to kg profit earned by the tea manufacturers.” stated Raj.

State Congress chief Minnat Rahmani, who hails from Kishanganj, stated land encroachment was once some other big factor in the area. “Whatever the tea manufacturers have achieved in the area is because of their very own efforts. The govt does no longer provide any assist to these tea manufacturers,” he added.

Local activist Manzar Alam too held the government chargeable for the plight of the tea growers in the area. “The whole business runs via neighbouring West Bengal as the reaction of our govt is relatively lukewarm,” he added.


The tea manufacturers IdealNews talked to sought their illustration in Tea Board of India and govt’s intervention in regulating the price.


The tea lawn employees, all locals, get just Rs 2.50 according to kg for plucking leaves. Their day by day wage, thus, does no longer exceed Rs 200. Hasnain Alam, manager of a tea estate in the area, stated procuring chemical compounds was once additionally a challenge and they were in large part dependent on West Bengal for this objective.


“We constructed the way road to the tea estate on our personal. Though political leaders make big guarantees right through elections, they don’t stand by their phrases,” stated Mobeen Hasan, a resident of Pothia.


Tea growers cry for govt attention in Kishanganj Tea growers cry for govt attention in Kishanganj Reviewed by Kailash on April 14, 2019 Rating: 5
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