The Nilgiris: The Joint Director of the South Indian Tea Board, Pagalavan announced here that the minimum price for tea for the month of May is fixed at Rs.15.75 per kg.
The Nilgiris: The Joint Director of the South Indian Tea Board, Pagalavan announced here that the minimum price for tea for the month of May is fixed at Rs.15.75 per kg.
Tea cultivation is one of the primary means of livelihood for the people of Nilgiris. Over 16 co-operative tea factories and hundreds of private tea factories operate in the district. It is estimated that about 65,000 families are dependent on tea cultivation for their livelihood.
Tea farmers have been facing the brunt of a rough season owing to seasons of heavy frost, continuous heavy rains and a constant price decline for tea leaves in the past few years. Keeping in mind the livelihood of farmers, it was requested to fix the rate of tea leaves at a standard price of Rs.30. Following this, on behalf of the Tea Board which is headed by the District Collector, a Price Assessment Committee was formed with farmers in it too. This Committee fixes the minimum rate of tea leaves.
The minimum value for green leaves is now fixed at Rs 15.75 per kg. Farmers can file complaints on tea factories that do not pay the fixed price for their produce. Officials of the Tea Board have also been instructed to constantly check if farmers are paid the fixed price and stern action is initiated against factories that violate the order.
Tea cultivation is one of the primary means of livelihood for the people of Nilgiris. Over 16 co-operative tea factories and hundreds of private tea factories operate in the district. It is estimated that about 65,000 families are dependent on tea cultivation for their livelihood.
Tea farmers have been facing the brunt of a rough season owing to seasons of heavy frost, continuous heavy rains and a constant price decline for tea leaves in the past few years. Keeping in mind the livelihood of farmers, it was requested to fix the rate of tea leaves at a standard price of Rs.30. Following this, on behalf of the Tea Board which is headed by the District Collector, a Price Assessment Committee was formed with farmers in it too. This Committee fixes the minimum rate of tea leaves.
The minimum value for green leaves is now fixed at Rs 15.75 per kg. Farmers can file complaints on tea factories that do not pay the fixed price for their produce. Officials of the Tea Board have also been instructed to constantly check if farmers are paid the fixed price and stern action is initiated against factories that violate the order.