Dibrugarh, Sept 13: Veteran tea planter and former Warren Tea Limited executive director Uddhab Chandra Sarmah has called for a holistic approach by all stakeholders to address the mounting challenges facing India’s tea industry and ensure its sustainability for centuries to come.
Delivering a lecture on “Crisis and Comeback – The Future of India’s Tea Industry” under the Amar Alohi (Our Guest) series of the Dibrugarh Press Club at Jagriti Hall, DRDA Complex, on Saturday, Sarmah said the industry—particularly Assam’s 200-year-old sector—is grappling with pressures across the value chain, from plantations to auctions, production to marketing.
“Assam’s tea industry is resilient, but revival demands a comprehensive strategy involving planters, workers, trade unions, the Tea Board, and both state and central governments,” Sarmah said. He also flagged the “alarmingly low” tea consumption within India and urged efforts to popularize tea, especially among the younger generation.
The event drew prominent figures, including former Union Minister and Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha president Paban Singh Ghatowar, tea expert Amitabh Phukon, Asom Chah Karmachari Sangha general secretary Rishav Kalita, Assam State Bharatiya Cha Mazdoor Sangha president Ashok Urang, representatives of small tea growers, AASAA and ATTSA leaders, as well as students from Dibrugarh University’s tea technology department.
A lively interactive session followed Sarmah’s address, with participants voicing concerns and suggestions on safeguarding the future of Assam tea.
The programme was chaired by Dibrugarh Press Club president Manash Jyoti Dutta and anchored by general secretary Ripunjoy Das.
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