Project Snapshots May 2025 Activities

The Better Income Project, supported by IDH, engaged over 691 Small Tea Growers (STGs) in Assam and North Bengal. Activities included farmer meetings on soil testing, manuring, safe leaf handling, and cultivation of mushrooms and chillies. Key achievements for May 2025 include the opening of one input shop, the formation of two new Self-Help Groups (SHGs), 158 STG children applying for the Tea Board stipend, and many STGs starting piggery, goat, poultry, and mushroom farming units. The project also facilitated market linkages for various products for 1963 STGs and organized mechanical plucking exposure visits in North Bengal.

The Living Income Project, supported by HUL-IDH, held 14 farmer meetings with 248 participants, including 69 women, in May. Noteworthy diversified livelihood practices include 9 STGs starting king chilli cultivation, 25 STGs initiating poultry units, and 4 STGs beginning betel leaf plantations. Two company poultry farms were launched with 1400 chicks. Additionally, three vaccination camps were conducted, and 142 STGs accessed market linkages, resulting in 2,145 kg of king chilli traded.

The Luxmi Project, supported by Luxmi Estates, focused on on-field advisory, sustainable practices, and on-farm trials. In May, 251 STGs received Integrated Pest Management (IPM) awareness. The project conducted 12 farmer meetings and one AE-AEM coordination meeting. Furthermore, 215 STGs participated in plucking demonstrations, 124 STGs received customized manuring plans, and 3 STGs initiated on-farm diversification. The adoption of vermicomposting and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) practices by select growers is promoting sustainable and chemical-compliant tea production.