Tea Development Programme in the Hilly Districts of Uttarakhand - Uttarakhand Tea Development Board
Horticulture Department
Last updated:
Overview
The scheme aims to promote tea cultivation in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, providing sustainable employment, optimal utilization of barren and unused land, and economic upliftment of local farmers.
Details
The scheme “Tea Development Programme in the Hilly Districts of Uttarakhand” is implemented by the Uttarakhand Tea Development Board under the Department of Horticulture, Government of Uttarakhand. It aims to promote tea cultivation in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, providing sustainable employment, optimal utilization of barren and unused land, and economic upliftment of local farmers.
Exclusions
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Benefits
• 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.
• <br>
Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must be a resident of Uttarakhand.
2. The applicant must have his own measured land available.
3. Within the identified area, at least 60 hectares of land should be available for tea plantation within a radius of 20 km.
4. There should be adequate availability of water around the identified land for setting up tea plant nursery at the initial stage.
5. <br>
Required Documents
• Documents are required in accordance with the Uttarakhand Tea Development Board guidelines to avail of the benefits.
• <br>
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to apply under this programme?
A: Applicants must be permanent residents of Uttarakhand and should possess their own measured land suitable for tea cultivation.
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Q: What land conditions are required for tea plantation?
A: Within a radius of 20 km of the identified area, at least 60 hectares of land should be available for tea plantation, with adequate water supply for establishing nurseries at the initial stage.
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Q: How can a farmer apply for the tea plantation programme?
A: The cultivator can apply to the Director, Uttarakhand Tea Development Board, Almora, providing details about the availability and measurement of their land.
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Q: What are the benefits of tea cultivation in Uttarakhand’s hilly terrain?
A: Tea plants thrive in the region’s climate, need minimal irrigation, resist damage by wild animals, and help prevent soil erosion and landslides.
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Q: What is the process followed after the application submission?
A: After receiving the application, the Board conducts a soil test of the applicant’s land. If suitable, a work plan is prepared and sent to the district administration or government for approval.
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Q: Who approves the tea plantation projects?
A: The prepared work plans are reviewed and approved by the district administration/government before the plantation work begins.
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Q: Can barren land be used for tea cultivation?
A: Yes. Apart from agricultural land, barren and unused lands can also be utilized for tea plantation under the programme.
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Q: How much area has been developed under tea cultivation so far?
A: The Board has developed tea gardens on 1,370 hectares of land leased from 4,011 farmers across 30 development blocks in 9 districts.
<br>
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be a resident of Uttarakhand.
The applicant must have his own measured land available.
Within the identified area, at least 60 hectares of land should be available for tea plantation within a radius of 20 km.
There should be adequate availability of water around the identified land for setting up tea plant nursery at the initial stage.
<br>
Benefits
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.
<br>
Required Documents
| # | Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | Documents are required in accordance with the Uttarakhand Tea Development Board guidelines to avail of the benefits. |
| 2 | <br> |
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants must be permanent residents of Uttarakhand and should possess their own measured land suitable for tea cultivation. <br>