Horticulture, Floriculture, Commercial crops, Bamboo Production – MIDH, NFSM-CC, etc.

India becomes largest importer of Tea from Kenya

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Major Crops & Cropping Patterns
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Tea Board, Tea Cultivation in India

Why in the News?

India, the world’s second-largest tea producer after China, has become the largest importer of tea from Kenya, signaling a shift in global tea trade dynamics.

Key Highlights of Tea Trade

  • Imports surged from 3.53 million kg in 2023 to 13.71 million kg in 2024, reflecting a significant 288% increase.
  • The average price of Kenyan tea imported to India was ₹156.73 per kg, significantly lower than ₹252.83 per kg fetched by Assam tea at auctions up to October 2024.
  • India’s tea exports increased by 13%, rising from 184.46 million kg in 2023 to 209.14 million kg in 2024.
  • Assam and West Bengal were major contributors to exports, accounting for the bulk of the tea exported.

About Tea Board of India

  • The Tea Board of India was established in 1954 under the Tea Act, 1953, succeeding the Central Tea Board and Indian Tea Licensing Committee.
  • It was originally formed under the Indian Tea Cess Bill (1903) to promote Indian tea domestically and internationally.
  • It is headquartered in Kolkata, with 23 offices across India, including zonal, regional, and sub-regional offices.
  • It functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with 31 members, including representatives from Parliament, tea producers, traders, and trade unions.
  • Provides financial and technical assistance for tea cultivation, manufacturing, and marketing, supports R&D to improve tea quality, and monitors pesticide residue compliance.

Tea Crop in India

  • Under the Treaty of Yandabo (1826), the East India Company gained control of Assam, laying the foundation for India’s commercial tea industry.
  • The British finally introduced tea to India in the 19th century to compete with China’s monopoly, establishing the first commercial tea garden in Chabua, Assam, in 1837.
  • Tea requires 20°C–30°C temperatures and 150–300 cm annual rainfall with slightly acidic, well-drained soil for optimal growth.
  • India is the second-largest tea producer globally and the largest consumer, accounting for 30% of global tea consumption, with major production in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

 

PYQ:

[2022] With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:

  1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
  2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
  3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
  4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 and 4

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4

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