Assam produces nearly 700 million kg of tea annually and accounts for around half of India's overall tea production | Photo: PM Modi's X account
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a two-day sojourn in Assam, took a delightful detour to a tea estate amidst his busy schedule. Through his X handle, he encouraged tourists to include Assam’s verdant tea gardens in their itineraries when visiting the state.
“Assam’s splendid tea gardens are renowned worldwide, with Assam Tea being cherished globally. I commend the remarkable tea garden community for their tireless efforts in enhancing Assam’s reputation across the globe,” PM Modi’s post on X articulated.
Assam is known for its splendid tea gardens, and Assam Tea has made its way all over the world.
I would like to laud the remarkable tea garden community, which is working hard and enhancing Assam’s prestige all over the world.
I also urge tourists to visit these tea gardens… pic.twitter.com/lCMSyQCPZg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2024
The tea community in Assam, constituting a significant portion of the state’s populace, holds pivotal sway in numerous Assembly constituencies.
Beyond just the renowned beverage, Assam’s lush tea gardens offer a plethora of experiences. With an annual tea production nearing 700 million kg, Assam accounts for about half of India’s total tea output. The landscape of tea cultivation in Assam has evolved significantly, with thousands of small-scale farmers transitioning from paddy cultivation to tea farming. Many unemployed youths have ventured into tea cultivation, with some even nurturing tea gardens in their backyards. Furthermore, entrepreneurial endeavors have sprung up, marking the inception of various tea startups.
Immersing oneself in the tea garden ambiance, indulging in a game of golf amidst sprawling estates, and meandering through tea plantations offer unforgettable experiences. The state boasts picturesque tea estates with vintage bungalows, many of which are accompanied by golf courses. Alongside traditional clubhouses for post-golf relaxation, some estates feature airstrips facilitating tourists’ arrival and departure via chartered aircraft.
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The tea growers of Assam are jubilant as the plantation industry commemorates its bicentennial milestone. Dating back to 1823, tea estates in the upper reaches of Assam were established, previously unexplored and untapped. Globally renowned for its aromatic and richly colored tea, Assam’s tea industry, the largest in India, sustains livelihoods for millions, directly or indirectly supporting numerous individuals. The state is celebrated for both Orthodox and CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) varieties of tea.
In 1823, Robert Bruce stumbled upon wild tea plants flourishing in the upper Brahmaputra Valley, leading to the initiation of a government-run tea garden in the erstwhile Lakhimpur district in 1833. Presently, Assam’s tea production stands at nearly 700 million kg annually, contributing significantly to India’s tea output. Additionally, the state garners annual foreign exchange earnings estimated at around Rs 3,000 crore.
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