India's Tea Development and Promotion Scheme

The Government of India approved the 'Tea Development and Promotion Scheme' for the XII Five Year Plan (2012-17). This initiative targets several key areas: plantation development, quality enhancement, product diversification, market facilitation, research, laborer welfare, and the encouragement of small tea growers, all aimed at the comprehensive protection and advancement of tea cultivation.

A significant objective of the XII Five Year Plan is to support the development of small tea growers. This includes fostering self-help groups and improving the productivity and quality of green tea leaves produced by these growers.

The scheme's core components for small tea cultivation involve new planting, replanting, and rejuvenation efforts. It also includes providing a One-Time Grant for Common Facilities to self-help groups, establishing various sizes of factories (micro, mini, and big), and organizing training sessions, study tours, tea conventions, and workshops.