Agartala, December 4:
Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha has urged the Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) to adopt concrete strategies aimed at making the corporation financially profitable while also creating new employment opportunities within the state’s tea sector. He made these remarks while reviewing the progress of TTDC at a high-level meeting held at the State Secretariat on Thursday.
During the review, Dr. Saha emphasized that Tripura tea is rich in taste and aroma and “in no way inferior” to tea produced in other parts of the country. He stressed the importance of preserving its natural qualities, and called for large-scale marketing, branding, and promotional activities to expand its reach.
The Chief Minister highlighted the potential of selling Tripura tea in states where tea production is minimal or absent, saying this could significantly enhance revenue. He also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vocal for Local” initiative, urging increased consumption of Tripura tea within the state to boost local industry and encourage self-reliance.
Providing an overview of the sector, Secretary Kiran Gitte informed that Tripura produced 90 lakh kilograms of tea in 2024. The state currently has 5 tea gardens under TTDC, 13 cooperative-run gardens, and 36 privately owned tea estates. Additionally, around 2,800 small tea growers contribute to the state’s production capacity.
Gitte also highlighted welfare initiatives undertaken under the Chief Minister’s Tea Workers Welfare Scheme. These include increasing daily wages of tea workers from ₹105 to ₹204 and upgrading facilities such as the Brahmakund Tea Processing Centre. A small-scale tea processing factory has also been established at Machmara Estate.
The meeting was attended by Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, TTDC Chairman Sameer Ranjan Ghosh, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, Finance Secretary Apurba Roy, TTDC Managing Director Subrata Kumar Das, among others. Participants engaged in detailed discussions to chart a future roadmap for strengthening the tea industry in Tripura.
