Tea Conclave at FolkTea Festival Successfully Addresses Climate Challenges in Assam’s Tea Industry
Biswanath Chariali, Rongili Barta: The 4th Tea Conclave, a key highlight of the FolkTea Festival, was successfully held on November 29, 2024, at the Biswanath College of Agriculture auditorium.
Organized in collaboration with Biswanath College of Agriculture, the event brought together tea growers, industry leaders, and policymakers to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Assam’s tea sector, including the impact of climate change, rising temperatures, pest management, and income diversification.
Assam’s tea industry, which forms the backbone of the region’s economy, has been reeling under the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall have disrupted tea production cycles, reducing yields and impacting quality.
At the same time, the industry faces growing challenges in pest management, as warming climates have led to an increase in pest populations that harm tea bushes. These issues were at the forefront of discussions during the conclave.
The event opened with an inaugural session featuring Dr. Ranendra Nath Barman, Associate Dean of Biswanath College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), alongside industry representatives Bikash Upadhay of Nameri Tea and Naren Sharma of Samiran Tea. Following this, technical sessions delved deep into both traditional challenges and innovative solutions for the industry.
About 150 STGs and BLF owners from North bank of Assam took part in the day long deliberations and get acquainted with the new techniques, disease and other aspects of the evolving tea industry.
In the first session, experts from the Tea Research Association (TRA) — Krishna Bora, Dr. Mridul Sarma, and Dr. Rupanijali Dev Barua — addressed climate change and pest management. The session explored strategies to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures, manage pest outbreaks, and ensure sustainability in tea cultivation.
The second session, focusing on marketing and quality management, featured Bhaskar Hazarika of Hookhmal Tea and tea consultant Rakesh Duggar, who offered insights into market trends and methods to maintain Assam tea’s global reputation. With quality being a key determinant of market success, this session proved critical for growers aiming to position their products competitively.
The third session turned the spotlight on financial solutions for small tea growers, with representatives from Bandhan Bank and the State Bank of India discussing funding options and financial support schemes. Ensuring economic sustainability for growers, particularly smallholders, remained a top priority.
New approaches to income diversification were discussed in the fourth session, with Prograggive Farmer from IDH presenting the potential of intercropping during non-plucking seasons to provide additional revenue streams. The session also explored the use of organic manures, which not only align with the growing demand for eco-friendly products but also improve soil health and productivity.
The final session focused on crop support and enhancement, featuring speakers such as Alilul Islam from Green Harvest Bio Tech and Uttam Kumar Chetia, Director, Technical Thondhora, the organic manure division of the famous Bahuboli Egg. Discussions included advanced crop enhancement techniques to boost yields and innovative approaches for long-term sustainability.
The conclave was organized by the Nanda Talukdar Foundation in partnership with Biswanath College of Agriculture, with TRA Tocklai and the Tea Board of India as knowledge partners. As part of the larger FolkTea Festival, the event celebrated Assam’s tea heritage while addressing the challenges that threaten its future.
By focusing on strategies such as sustainable farming practices, income diversification, and pest management, the conclave successfully served as a platform to discuss actionable solutions and foster collaboration among stakeholders. The event provided valuable insights and solutions to ensure a more resilient future for Assam’s tea industry.