82% hike in tea development, promotion funds takes outlay to Rs 528 crore for 2024-26

The outlay for the Tea Development and Promotion Scheme has been increased 82% to Rs 528.97 crore for 2024-26, the government said on Thursday, from Rs 290.81 crore.

Amardeep Singh Bhatia, additional secretary in the Department of Commerce said that the aim is to increase exports, especially in value-added segments and consumption of quality tea.

India is the third largest exporter of tea in the world. Tea exports fell around over 4% to $673 million in April-January this fiscal.


Around 800 self-help groups and 330 farmer-producer organisations (FPO) are proposed to be setup in the next two financial years under the scheme. The outlay is Rs 290.81 crore at present. Bhatia said that a significant increase in outlay has been made to promote Indian tea in both domestic and international markets. The funds for the promotion of tea have been increased to Rs 72.42 crore.

Around Rs 40 crore have been allocated to set up blending and packaging units for value addition.

A new component of technological interventions for tea plantation has been included for activities like precision farming, drone surveillance, traceability and blockchain, and digitization of activities of Tea Board, he said.