National Focus on Tea Sector Revival
Tea Development and Promotion Drive Strengthening India’s Tea Sector: The Tea Development & Promotion Scheme (TDPS) has been launched to modernise India’s tea value chain and address the challenges faced by small growers. The initiative aims to improve productivity, promote quality enhancement and support sustainable cultivation. The scheme is implemented through the Tea Board of India, ensuring nationwide coverage with targeted interventions in production and processing.
Short production cycles and fragmented landholdings make small tea growers dependent on institutional support. TDPS addresses this gap by promoting improved planting materials, quality nursery development and expanded access to processing facilities.
Static GK fact: India is the second-largest tea producer in the world after China.
Strengthening Assam’s Tea Ecosystem
Assam receives significant support under the scheme because of its central role in India’s tea economy. Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, the State was allocated ₹152.76 crore, out of which ₹150.20 crore has already been utilised. This reflects a strong implementation rate and steady institutional backing for growers.
The support focuses on revitalising ageing plantations, improving leaf quality and enhancing export competitiveness.
Static GK Tip: The Assam tea industry contributes nearly 50% of India’s total tea output.
Grassroots Mobilisation and Value Chain Expansion
A key pillar of TDPS is the empowerment of small growers. Under the scheme, Assam witnessed the formation of 318 SHGs, 143 FPOs and 26 FPCs, enabling growers to access better markets and value addition opportunities. These groups strengthen collective bargaining, help standardise cultivation practices and expand financial inclusion for growers.
The establishment of 31 mini tea factories supports decentralised processing, reducing dependency on large estates. This improves price realisation and facilitates quality control at the grassroots level.
Static GK fact: FPOs in India are regulated under the Companies Act, 2013 as Producer Companies.
Sustainable Farming and Capacity Building
The scheme encourages sustainable plantation practices, including organic cultivation and Good Agricultural Practices. During the implementation period, 30.32 hectares in Assam were converted to organic tea cultivation. Additionally, 30 farm field schools and 1,343 capacity-building programmes were conducted to strengthen skill development.
These initiatives ensure that small growers adapt better to climate variations, adopt scientific techniques and improve soil health.
Static GK Tip: The first tea plantation in India started in 1830 in Assam.
Export Growth and National Impact
India’s tea exports have shown a steady rise under the TDPS framework. Export earnings increased from USD 751.07 million in 2021-22 to USD 923.89 million in 2024-25, registering a 7.15% CAGR. Strengthened value chains, better quality control and increased branding support have contributed to this growth.
The DMEO evaluation conducted by NITI Aayog in 2023 highlighted satisfactory progress in replantation, SHG/FPO formation and factory creation. Its recommendations—such as enhanced brand promotion and wider adoption of scientific practices—were incorporated into the revised TDPS for 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Tea Development and Promotion Drive Strengthening India’s Tea Sector:
| Topic | Detail |
| Scheme | Tea Development & Promotion Scheme (TDPS) |
| Implementing Body | Tea Board India |
| Assam Allocation | ₹152.76 crore (₹150.20 crore utilised) |
| Grassroots Groups | 318 SHGs, 143 FPOs, 26 FPCs |
| Mini Factories | 31 established in Assam |
| Replantation | 437.42 hectares covered |
| Organic Conversion | 30.32 hectares shifted |
| Capacity Building | 1,343 programmes conducted |
| Export Growth | USD 751.07 million to USD 923.89 million |
| Evaluation | DMEO, NITI Aayog (2023) |
