Tripura Tea Industry to get major boost with new mini tea processing factory, tea park

Agartala: In a move to boost the tea industry in Tripura, the Tripura Tea Development Corporation Ltd (TTDC) has undertaken a series of steps, including modernizing tea processing factories and setting up a Mini Tea Processing Factory with an estimated cost worth over Rs 6 Crore.

Tripura is a traditional tea-growing state with a history of tea plantations dating back to 1916. Presently, there are 54 tea estates and 2,755 small tea growers, producing over 90 lakh kg of made tea annually. This makes Tripura the 6th largest tea-producing state among the 16 tea-producing states, after Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. Some tea estates also produce green tea (Golakpur and Fatikcherra). Tea produced in Tripura mostly sells in Guwahati and Kolkata auctions, although some portion of production is also sold locally or through marketing channels in northern and western India.

As per Industry and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, TTDC has undertaken an initiative for the modernization and upgradation of the Brahmakunda Tea Processing Factory of TTDC Ltd., which is 40% completed, with financial assistance from NEC Shillong. “The estimated cost for civil work is Rs 2 crore while the estimated cost for machineries and equipment is Rs 49.22 lakh,” she said.

She further mentioned that the foundation stone for the Agartala Tea e-Auction Centre was laid by the Chief Minister, Dr. Manik Saha, on March 14, 2024. The selection of agencies for the functioning of the Agartala Tea Auction Centre through tender is currently under process.

“Setting up of a Mini Tea Processing Factory at Machmara Tea Estate under TTDC with financial assistance from the Tribal Welfare Department and TTDC's own fund is finalized and under progress through TIDC Ltd with a total estimated cost of Rs 3.27 crore. The financial assistance from the Tribal Welfare Department is Rs 1 crore, while the remaining balance is from the own fund of TTDC Ltd,” she told Business Northeast.

She also informed that the government is planning to start a diploma study course on Tea Management at MBB University, which is in the final stage with technical and logistic support from TTDC Ltd and other stakeholders of the Tripura tea industry. A proposal for setting up a Tea Park in Tripura for the promotion of the Tripura tea industry as a whole has been sent to the Industry and Commerce Department of Tripura for approval.