All Nagaland Small Tea Growers Association (ANSTGA) organised a seminar on tea growing in Nagaland: problems and prospects, at Hotel Saramati here on November 18.
At the seminar, association president, Shami Angh, highlighted on the various problems faced by the small-time tea farmers, due to absence of processing facilities in the state and lack of assistance from the government. He also appealed to the officials from Tea Board of Assam to grant special status to the tea growers of Nagaland and assistance for setting up of new tea factories in the State.
After listening to the various problems raised by the association, executive director, Tea Board, NE Zonal office Guwahati, Sanjio Kumar, said the problems faced by small tea growers in Nagaland would be mitigated to a large extent through setting up of tea processing units in tea growing districts.
He also urged the tea farmers to form self help groups to address their grievances collectively and effectively. Further, Kumar official encouraged the Naga tea farmers to go for organic farming and assured all possible help from the Tea Board.
Deputy director, agriculture department Nagaland, SK Khemprai, in his brief speech informed ANSTGA that the agri department discontinued state-sponsored schemes for tea farmers since 2001. However, he informed that the department would assist them through technical aspects by organizing training to the tea farmers.
HoD Horticulture, School of Agriculture Science & Rural Development (SASRD) Medziphema, Dr. Pauline Alila, added SASRD has no direct involvement with tea growers, however assured to extend help to tea farmers in research and other technical aspects.