Enhance Tea Production with the Tea Development & Promotion Scheme (TDPS) for Small Growers

The Government of India, under the 15th Finance Commission (2021-26), has approved the Tea Board’s “Tea Development & Promotion Scheme” (TDPS) aimed at enhancing the production, productivity, and quality of Indian tea. One of its key components is the “Plantation Development for Small Tea Growers (PDSTG)” which focuses on mechanization for individual small tea growers. This component is designed to assist small tea growers in improving their plantations through modern mechanized equipment, thereby supporting value addition, increased market competitiveness, and sustainable production practices.

Objectives

• Enhance Competitiveness: Improve production, productivity, and quality of Indian tea to compete globally.

• Support Small Growers: Focus on the development and collectivization of small tea growers to help them move up the value chain.

• Value Addition: Facilitate value addition in tea for better price realization and expanded export markets.

• Sustainability: Promote organic tea cultivation and climate-resilient practices.

• Economic Growth: Encourage research, technological innovation, and transparent supply chain practices as envisaged in the Tea Act, 1953.

PDSTG Component – Mechanization for Individual Small Growers

This component aims to increase the overall quality and production of tea by providing financial assistance for mechanization. Equipment is subsidized based on a ceiling limit and specific eligibility based on the tea area under cultivation:

• Pruning Machine:

  • Ceiling Limit: ₹30,000 per machine

  • Eligibility: One machine per up to 5.00 hectares of tea area

• Mechanical Harvester:

  • Single Man Harvester: Ceiling Limit: ₹25,000

  • Double Man Harvester: Ceiling Limit: ₹40,000

  • Eligibility: One machine for each, per up to 10.00 hectares of tea area

• Power Sprayer:

  • Ceiling Limit: ₹15,000 per machine

  • Eligibility: For each machine per up to 5.00 hectares of tea area

• Brush Cutter:

  • Ceiling Limit: ₹28,000 per machine

  • Eligibility: For each machine per up to 10.00 hectares of tea area

• Plucking Shear:

  • Ceiling Limit: ₹550 per unit

  • Eligibility: For each unit per up to 0.40 hectares of tea area

Mode of Payment

All payments under the scheme are made electronically via RTGS/NEFT/PFMS.

Eligibility

• Applicants:

  • Small tea growers, including individual growers, as well as members of self-help groups, Farmers’ Producer Organizations (FPOs), or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs).

• Exclusions:

  • In the event of a change in the ownership of the tea garden before the completion of subsidy disbursement, the transferor/seller will cease to receive any remaining subsidy payments.

Application Process

The application can be submitted both online and offline:

• Online Process:

  1. Registration: Visit the Tea Board’s official portal and click “Register” or “Sign Up.” Provide personal details (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Mobile Number, Email Address), create a username and password, and verify your identity via OTP.

  2. Application: Log in using your credentials, access the Online Application Form, fill in all mandatory fields, and upload the necessary documents.

  3. Submission: Acknowledge the terms and conditions, then submit the application. An acknowledgement with an Application Reference ID will be generated.

• Offline Process:

  • Although an online mode is provided, physical submission is accepted when necessary as per the scheme guidelines. Only one application per component is considered; however, an applicant may apply for multiple activities within the same application if eligible.

• Application Fee:

  • A non-refundable fee of ₹100 + GST is required (exempt for SC, ST, female, and differently-abled applicants).

Documents Required

• Tea Board registration or an identity smart card (QR-based) issued by the Tea Board with a unique identification number.

• Survey map (A-4 size) of the tea area (for individual small tea growers) drawn and certified by a government-approved surveyor or Land Revenue department.

• Self-declaration under PPC compliance.

• Aadhaar Card for individuals; PAN/TAN/GST registration for others, as applicable.

• Bank account details (linked with mobile number and Aadhaar) with IFSC code, along with a copy of a cancelled cheque.

• Copy of the recent resolution for SHGs/FPOs/FPCs, including details of office bearers and members along with the tea area in command.

• Note: Applicants who do not possess a Tea Board identity card can obtain one upon production of documents establishing land ownership or a possession certificate issued by the concerned State Government.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Application Limitations:

  • Only one application per scheme component is considered, though an applicant may apply for multiple eligible activities within a single application.

• Application Fee:

  • A fee of ₹100 + GST applies, with exemptions for SC, ST, female, and differently-abled applicants.

• Submission Modes:

  • The scheme supports both online and offline application processes. Physical submission is accepted when specified.

• Electronic Payment Methods:

  • Subsidies are disbursed electronically via RTGS, NEFT, or PFMS.

• Ownership Exclusion:

  • If there is a change in the ownership of the tea garden before the subsidy is fully disbursed, the seller/transferor loses eligibility for the remaining subsidy.

• Eligibility Criteria:

  • The scheme targets small tea growers, including those who are part of self-help groups and Farmers’ Producer Organizations.

• Equipment Ceiling Limits:

  • Detailed ceiling limits are provided for equipment like Pruning Machines, Mechanical Harvesters, Power Sprayers, Brush Cutters, and Plucking Shears based on the area under tea cultivation.

• Component Contributions:

  • The TDPS includes several components aimed at overall industry development—from improving quality and production to enhancing value addition and export competitiveness.

• Self-declaration under PPC Compliance:

  • This self-declaration ensures that the applicant complies with applicable standards and guidelines set out by the Tea Board.

• Survey Map Requirements:

  • The survey map must be drawn by a government-approved surveyor or the Land Revenue department and certified appropriately.

• Organic Tea Cultivation:

  • The scheme encourages practices that promote organic tea cultivation and climate-resilient methods, though detailed definitions and guidelines are provided in the official documents.

• Mechanization Benefits:

  • Mechanization under the PDSTG component helps small tea growers improve productivity, reduce labor costs, and enhance the quality of tea production.

• Objectives of PDSTG:

  • The PDSTG component focuses on enabling small tea growers to upgrade plantation development, move up the value chain, and become self-reliant by setting up processing units.

Sources and References

• Guidelines