HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Sept 1: Bimal Borah, the minister for Industries and Commerce, Cultural Affairs, led a significant discussion on the fortification of Assam’s tea industry. The meeting took place at the Assam Agricultural University (AAU) and aimed to explore avenues for enhancing tea production in the state.
Chaired by minister Borah, the meeting convened in the vice chancellor’s conference hall and was conducted by Dr Bidyut Chandan Deka, the vice chancellor of AAU. It featured tea experts, officials from various departments, and Dr S Laxmanan, secretary of Industry and Commerce.
The discussion delved into several critical aspects of the tea industry, including tea prices, quality maintenance, support for bought leaf factories, and training programs. The meeting sought ways to strengthen and optimise tea production throughout the state.
Additionally, the gathering explored innovative solutions for utilising various parts of tea plants effectively.
Minister Borah emphasised that the Assam tea industry, despite facing a competitive market, has shown resilience by adapting to changing consumer preferences while preserving its rich heritage. He highlighted that this initiative aligns with chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s vision of elevating Assam to one of the nation’s top five states, with the growth and expansion of the tea industry playing a pivotal role.
Furthermore, minister Borah proposed the exploration of eco-tourism ventures by the tea industry to diversify its offerings.
Dr Deka, the vice chancellor, shared insights into the university’s research and educational initiatives related to tea.
Following the meeting, minister Borah visited the Tea Husbandry and Technology department and inspected the university’s experimental tea estate.
