Small tea farming has been a way of life for many families in the state of Assam for generations. In the Bihpuria constituency area of Lakhimpur district, two farmers, Pradip Hazarika and Suren Sharma, have been working hard to cultivate their own tea plantations at Durpang Balipukhuri. Despite the challenges that come with running a small tea farm, they are passionate about their work and are determined to make their businesses successful.
Pradip Hazarika and Suren Sharma are both descendants of families that have been involved in tea farming for many years. They both grew up learning about the cultivation of tea and the hard work that goes into maintaining a tea plantation. When they were old enough, they decided to start their own small tea farms in the Durpang Balipukhuri area of Bihpuria constituency.
One of the biggest challenges they faced when starting their tea farms was securing land. In Assam, land ownership is a complex issue, with many families owning small plots of land that have been passed down through generations. Pradip and Suren were lucky enough to have family members who were willing to give them some land to start their tea plantations, but they still had to navigate a complex system of ownership and land rights to ensure that they were legally entitled to the land they were using.
Once they had secured their land, they set to work cultivating their tea plants. Tea farming is a labor-intensive process that requires a lot of hard work and attention to detail. The first step in tea cultivation is to prepare the land by clearing it of weeds and debris and tilling the soil. The tea plants are then planted, and farmers must take care to water them regularly and protect them from pests and diseases.
Pradip and Suren use traditional methods of tea farming, which involve manually plucking the tea leaves and processing them by hand. This is a time-consuming process that requires a lot of skill and experience. The leaves are plucked in the morning when they are still fresh and tender, and then they are withered, rolled, and dried before they are ready to be sold.
Despite the challenges of small-scale tea farming, Pradip and Suren are passionate about their work and are committed to making their businesses successful. They are proud of the high-quality tea that they produce, which they believe is a result of their hard work and attention to detail. They sell their tea locally, and they have built up a loyal customer base of people who appreciate the unique flavor and aroma of their tea.
In recent years, small-scale tea farming has faced many challenges in Assam. Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, which can have a significant impact on tea production. The tea industry has also been affected by the global pandemic, with many small-scale farmers struggling to sell their products due to restrictions on travel and trade.
Despite these challenges, Pradip and Suren remain optimistic about the future of their businesses. They believe that small-scale tea farming can be a sustainable and profitable way of life for families in Assam, and they are committed to promoting the benefits of small-scale farming to other farmers in their community. They also hope to expand their businesses in the future, by investing in new technology and exploring new markets for their tea.
In conclusion, small-scale tea farming is a vital part of the economy and culture of Assam, and farmers like Pradip Hazarika and Suren Sharma are playing a crucial role in keeping this tradition alive. Despite the challenges they face, they remain committed to their work and are passionate about producing high-quality tea that is loved by their customers. Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration to other small-scale farmers in the region, and they serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving traditional farming practices in an era of globalisation and industrialisation. Small-scale tea farming not only provides a source of income for families in Assam but also contributes to the state's cultural heritage and identity.
In addition to providing economic benefits, small-scale tea farming also has environmental benefits. Tea plantations can act as a carbon sink, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. The traditional farming methods used by Pradip and Suren, which rely on manual labour rather than heavy machinery, are also more environmentally sustainable than large-scale industrial farming.
However, for small-scale tea farming to remain viable, it is important that farmers have access to the necessary resources and support. This includes access to land, credit, and technology, as well as training and education to improve farming practices and increase productivity.
The government and other organisations can play an important role in supporting small-scale farmers in Assam. This could include providing financial assistance and incentives, improving infrastructure and transportation links, and investing in research and development to improve farming practices and increase yields. Small-scale tea farming is a valuable and important part of the economy and culture of Assam. Farmers like Pradip Hazarika and Suren Sharma are working hard to preserve this tradition and promote the benefits of traditional farming practices. However, for small-scale tea farming to remain sustainable and profitable, it is important that farmers have access to the necessary resources and support. By investing in small-scale farming and supporting farmers like Pradip and Suren, we can help to ensure that this important part of Assam's heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.
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