Tough time for small tea growers in Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, Dec 15: With very little avenues for Government jobs, the educated unemployed youths of the State seem to be busy in choosing ways and means for self-dependance. A good number of them are now concentrating on tea plantation and farming. In Kokrajhar district is witnessing a significant number of unemployed Bodo youths opting for tea plantation as a means of alternative livelihood. Earlier there were only three tea gardens in Kokrajhar district. But now around 40 small tea gardens have come up after the youths and interested growers have chosen tea plantation for self-employment. While such plantation by the youths for self-employment is an encouraging sign, the small tea growers certainly need of inspiration from the tea majors and the administration.In an interview with The Sentinel, the president of Kokrajhar district Small Tea Growers Association (STGA) Bijit Basumatary said that there were around 40 small tea gardens in Kokrajhar district set up by unemployed youths. But the growers have been facing lot of problems which often frustrate them. He said the settlement of rate of green leaves and the late payment of their dues by the big tea companies were the major problem faced by the small tea gardens. The rate of green tea leaves has always been fluctuating with the big gardens offering lower rates, he said. He further said that the small tea growers in the district supply the green leaves to Daolabari, Kokrajhar and Choibari tea estates.Basumatary said the late payment by the companies for purchase of green leaves was a major problem faced by the small tea growers. He went on to add that a good number of small tea growers have not received their due payment since last July. As a result the STGS, on many occasions, face hardship in making labour payment, payment for carriage and maintenance of garden. Basumatary also said the STGs of Kokrajhar district were also facing land acquisition problem with the district administration and BTC authority indifferent to the issue.General secretary of Kokrajhar District STGA Surai Basumatary said that the small tea growers of the district have been facing immense problem during negotiation of the rate of green leaves with the companies unlike the state of affairs in the upper Asom districts.Replaying to a question, Basumatary said the Maothi Tea Estate has an area of 150 bighas only. 2,40,000 kg of green leaves was supplied in 2007-08 but the payment was still pending. He also said the association has adopted scientific measures and has been organizing workshop and training for the growers from time to time. A workshop on sustainable livelihood for STGs in India was organized for growers at Maothi Tea Estate recently, he added.