TN to boost tea production

Tamil Nadu government announced a slew of measures to give a boost to tea production and encourage small-time growers in the state on Friday.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has ordered to increase the workable rates given to small tea growers up to Rs two per kilogram of tea leaves, procured by Cooperative Tea factories in the state, an official release said.

"The workable rate given to small tea growers presently is low compared to the market rates, due to the old machinery in the cooperative tea factories. Chief Minister has ordered to adjust the workable rate on par with the market rates, so that growers are not affected," it said.

The Chief Minister has allocated Rs six crore for procuring tea from small time growers who are members in
cooperative tea factories, with the hiked cost of upto Rs two between July and December, it said.

The government has allocated a fund of Rs 5.46 crore to increase the production capacity of 12 cooperative tea factories in the state by replacing old machinery. Of the total 15, 12 factories are producing below their capacity.

The Chief Minister has also permitted state-owned tea producer INDCOSERVE to spend Rs 54 lakh from its fund to renovate its old buildings.Tamil Nadu is one of the largest growers of tea in the
country.