ITA Seeks Rs 113-Crore Annual Revival Package for Darjeeling Tea

PTI, August 26, 2026, Kolkata : With Darjeeling tea production falling to a low of 5.6 million kg in 2025, the Indian Tea Association (ITA) has sought an annual financial support package of around Rs 113 crore from the West Bengal government to revive the industry.

In a White Paper submitted to the state government, the ITA flagged the sharp decline in production from 14.49 million kg in 1990 to 5.6 million kg in 2025, attributing it to climate change, ageing tea bushes, rising imports from Nepal, shrinking exports and increasing production costs.

The industry body termed the situation critical and called for urgent and targeted intervention to safeguard Darjeeling tea.

The proposed Rs 113-crore annual package covers support for orthodox tea production, working capital interest subvention, transport subsidies, mechanisation, social security for workers, rejuvenation of ageing tea areas and factory modernisation.

The White Paper also sought seasonal industry status for Darjeeling tea plantations.

For the Dooars and Terai tea industry, the ITA submitted a separate White Paper outlining challenges such as low productivity, financial stress, inadequate infrastructure and labour welfare issues.

The association proposed dedicated revival packages, integration of plantations with government welfare schemes, support for tea tourism and diversification, and regulatory reforms to restore competitiveness and attract long-term investment.