Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a two-day visit to Assam, took a break from his busy schedule to visit a tea estate and appreciate the tea garden community’s efforts. In a post on his social media handle, he encouraged tourists to explore Assam’s tea gardens, highlighting their role in enhancing the state’s prestige worldwide.
Assam’s tea gardens are not just known for their tea production but also play a crucial role in the state’s economy, especially in several Assembly constituencies. Producing nearly 700 million kg of tea annually, Assam contributes significantly to India’s overall tea production.
The tea plantation industry in Assam has witnessed a significant transformation, with many small farmers and unemployed youths turning to tea cultivation as a business venture. Some farmers even cultivate tea in their backyards, while others have started their tea businesses through startups.
Visitors to Assam can enjoy unique experiences in the tea gardens, including stays in old-world bungalows with attached golf courses. Some estates even have airstrips for tourists to arrive and depart in chartered aircraft, adding to the charm of the tea garden experience.
This year, tea growers in Assam are celebrating the plantation industry’s 200-year milestone. Renowned for its richly colored and aromatic tea, Assam’s tea industry provides livelihoods to millions and is a significant contributor to the state’s economy. The discovery of wild tea plants in the upper Brahmaputra Valley by Robert Bruce in 1823 marked the beginning of Assam’s tea plantation journey, which has since grown into a thriving industry generating substantial foreign exchange earnings for the state.