Tea Development Programme in the Hilly Districts of Uttarakhand - Uttarakhand Tea Development Board

Due to large-scale migration of local people in the mountainous areas of Uttarakhand, most of the farmers’ land remains unused or barren, which can be put to good use through tea development programmes.

The Tea Development Scheme, run by the Board, is an employment-oriented initiative under which the Board provides year-round employment to tea garden cultivators and workers for seven years after the plantation is established. Once the plantations produce sufficient quantities of green leaves, farmers can earn a livelihood by selling them.

At present, in the hilly areas, fruits, vegetables, and crops are being damaged by domestic and wild animals, whereas tea plants are not harmed by such animals.

Due to the lack of adequate irrigation facilities in the hilly areas, traditional farming is adversely affected, whereas tea gardens require irrigation only at the initial stage, and adverse weather does not have any significant impact on the tea gardens.

Once planted, tea plants can produce for up to 100 years under proper care. Hailstorms only negatively affect tea production for about a week.

There is a risk of landslides due to indiscriminate cutting of forests, disasters, and heavy rainfall, whereas areas with tea plantations are not prone to landslides; thus, tea gardens help prevent soil erosion and landslides.

Tea plantation is an environmentally friendly and completely pollution-free industry.

In tea gardens, local people, especially rural women, get employment in their own area.

The tea industry can become a strong pillar for the economic foundation of local farmers.

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, ensuring consistent demand, which makes its marketing relatively easy.

On average, 15,000 tea plants are planted per hectare, which also helps prevent soil erosion.

Currently, the Board has developed tea gardens by leasing land from 4,011 farmers over an area of 1,370 hectares in 30 development blocks across 9 districts.

At present, 3,100 workers are employed under the Board every month, of which 2,279 are women.