Idukki to benefit from the Rs 400 crore development and promotion scheme for tea planters

Idukki to benefit from the Rs 400 crore development and promotion scheme for tea planters. The centre has approved Indian tea Board’s (ITB) proposed “Development and promotion” scheme with a fund allocation of Rs 400 crore.

The scheme includes organized as well as small growers both, and will run till the end of 2019-20 FY. The Rs 394.95 crore scheme has seven major components. These are Plantation Development, Quality Upgradation and Product Diversification, Market Promotion, Research and Development, Human Resource Development, National Program for Tea Regulation and Establishment Expenses.

Eligible plantations will be provided subsidy, incentives or grants for their various activities in these component sectors. “Development’ component is to increase field productivity and quality of tea by encouraging replantation, replacement planting, rejuvenation pruning, irrigation, mechanization. It is also aimed towards development of small tea growers to help them move up the value chain,” says S. Soundararajan, Director of Tea Development, ITB,

Special Packages for North East, Idukki district of Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been devised for taking care of the special needs of these regions. To become eligible for benefits under the scheme, a set garden must be registered with the Tea Board. Applicant small growers and their self-help groups should have identity issued by ITB and proper documents pertaining to their plantation land. Moreover, any plantation having over Rs 10,000 provident fund over dues will be barred according to the scheme mandates.

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