Dibrugarh, June 17: Assam Commerce and Industry Minister Bimal Borah today hoped that the tea which is delivered to consumers the world over is compliant with global tea manufacturing standards, which will foster goodwill among consumers of Assam tea, and preserve Assam’s illustrious tea manufacturing heritage.

Assam tea industry over the last few months has been rattled by the pesticide issue with the Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufactures Association (ABLTMA) announcing the indefinite shutdown of over 200 bought leaf tea factories from June due to excessive pesticide use by small tea growers. The shutdown was later taken off after government intervention and tough action taken by the government and the Tea Board of India against the use of banned pesticides.

High pesticide levels in the tea leaves have led to buyers being reluctant to purchase tea resulting in significant financial losses.

Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufactures’s  Association(ABLTMA) finally brought a mobile testing lab in Dibrugarh to check the tea leaves which were collected from small tea growers.

The mobile testing laboratory belongs to Eurofins Analytical Services India which offers more than 130,000 analytical tests including all the key areas of food safety and composition testing. The mobile testing laboratory costs Rs 6 crore and ABLTMA has already given Rs 30 lakh.

“This mobile lab will ensure the quality standards of chemicals used on tea leaves. This is the first laboratory in the 200-year history of Assam’s tea industry” he said.

The minister said the step is much needed for the sustainability of the tea industry as the tea industry has been facing many challenges but we have overcome every challenge we faced.

The advanced laboratory was inaugurated today at the Teamafco tea factory in Alimur, Dibrugarh.

Ever since Scottish adventurer and trader Robert Bruce discovered tea in Assam in 1823, the industry has completed 200 glorious years, with Assam tea being one of the prominent beverages consumed the world over, constituting the lifeblood of Assam’s economic sustenance generating foreign exchange of over ₹3,000 Crore, and offering employment and livelihood opportunities to over 10 Lakh people” Borah said.

“Tea plantations in Assam, once dominated by large corporate entities operating expansive gardens, have undergone a significant transformation. Today, thousands of small farmers have embraced tea cultivation, supplying their crops to factories that no longer maintain their gardens” he said.

He thanked the Assam Bought Tea Leaf Manufacturers Association (ABTELMA) has been instrumental in ensuring that its member Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs) adhere to global quality standards. ABTELMA actively collaborates with Grower Associations and member BLFs to raise awareness across the supply chain about the importance of avoiding banned chemicals and pesticides.

“To that effect, the association took the initiative of arranging for a Mobile Testing Van from Eurofins Analytical Services Pvt Ltd for the testing of green tea leaves and processed teas. I hope these initiatives will significantly contribute to ensuring that “The Cuppa that Cheers” is delivered to consumers the world over in a manner that is compliant with global tea manufacturing standards, thereby fostering goodwill among consumers of Assam tea, and preserving Assam’s illustrious tea manufacturing heritage,” Borah said.

Ever since Scottish adventurer and trader Robert Bruce discovered tea in Assam in 1823, the industry has completed 200 glorious years, with Assam tea being one of the prominent beverages consumed the world over, constituting the lifeblood of Assam’s economic sustenance… pic.twitter.com/9othZeaUBr

— Bimal Borah (@BimalBorah119) June 17, 2024

Bimal Borah appealed to all the stakeholders to follow the prescribed guidelines for the greater interest of the entire tea industry.

“The Chief Minister of Assam will discuss the matter related to the SOP on June 22 in the presence of all the stakeholders,” Borah stated.

“I would like to thank the Assam  Bought Leaf Tea Manufactures’s  Association for bringing the mobile testing lab in Dibrugarh to check the tea leaves which were collected from Small tea growers. This step is much needed for the sustainability of the tea industry. The tea industry has been facing many challenges but we have overcome every challenge we faced,” Borah said.

Tea leaves purchased by Bought Leaf Factories from small tea growers and the tea produced by the bought leaf factories will be tested in this laboratory,” said  Chand Gohain, President of ABLTMA.

He said there will be sample collecting centres in various places including Dibrugarh, Tinsukia etc.

“This mobile lab will empower our small and large tea growers alike, providing them with accessible, timely, and reliable testing services right at their doorstep,” said Gohain.

Pankaj Jaiminy, Managing Director, Eurofins Analytical Services India said the launch of this Mobile Residues Testing Lab comes at a crucial time.

“The global market’s demand for safe, residue-free tea is growing, and with increasing regulatory standards, it is imperative that our tea producers can meet and exceed these requirements. This mobile lab will empower our small and large tea growers alike, providing them with accessible, timely, and reliable testing services right at their doorstep,” he said.

“This state-of-the-art facility will enable us to test for pesticide residues in tea leaves swiftly and efficiently. In doing so, we take a giant leap towards safeguarding the health of consumers, ensuring the integrity of our tea, and maintaining our reputation on the world stage,” he said.

Also Read: World Bank to combat youth challenges in Meghalaya

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub