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Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), through its Tea Next initiative, successfully organised Tea Next 2.0, a focused capacity-building event for Bought Leaf Factory (BLF) representatives and Small Tea Growers (STGs) in Assam's Golaghat district.
The event on Thursday brought together around 256 small tea growers and BLF management representatives from across the region. Tea Next 2.0 aimed to strengthen sustainability, productivity, and regulatory compliance across smallholder tea farms-an increasingly critical segment of India's tea value chain. The Tea Next programme is structured around three core verticals - Improvement of Green Leaf Quality: Participants received focused training and practical guidance on pruning cycles, plucking standards, and the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to enhance the consistency and quality of green leaf production; Mitigation of MRL Challenges: Expert-led sessions covered the Plant Protection Code, compliance with FSSAI Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and guidelines, and adherence to Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHIs). The programme also featured live demonstrations of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, with a strong emphasis on non-chemical pest and disease control methods; Regenerative Agriculture Practices: Discussions and demonstrations focused on soil health management and strengthening the climate resilience of tea bushes through the introduction of tea-specific regenerative agriculture practices, supporting long-term farm sustainability. The event was organised in collaboration with the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) and the Trustea Sustainable Tea Foundation, with Trustea actively supporting the design and delivery of technical training and on-ground activities. Speaking at the event, Ishpreet Singh, Vice President-Beverage, HUL, said, "Small tea growers are vital to shaping the future of India's tea industry. Through Tea Next 2.0, our focus is on enabling farmers and Bought Leaf Factories to meet evolving quality, sustainability, and regulatory expectations, while improving productivity and resilience at the farm level. This programme reflects our long-term commitment to responsible sourcing and inclusive growth in the tea ecosystem." DM Kakoti, Deputy Director, Tea Board of India, while addressing the gathering, said, "The Tea Board of India is committed to promoting sustainable tea production practices, focusing on improving green leaf quality, mitigating MRL challenges, and adopting regenerative agriculture practices to ensure a healthier and more resilient tea industry. Through initiatives like the Plant Protection Code and regenerative agriculture, we aim to enhance the quality and sustainability of Indian tea, benefiting both farmers and consumers." He also appreciated HUL for organising the initiative to support the holistic development of small tea growers and BLF representatives. Tea planter Bidyananda Barkakoty and Adviser, North Eastern Tea Association (NETA), said, "Small Tea Growers and Bought Leaf Factories form the backbone of Assam's tea sector. Initiatives like Tea Next 2.0 play a vital role in strengthening awareness around quality standards, compliance requirements, and sustainable practices. NETA is committed to supporting collaborative efforts that enhance the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the smallholder tea ecosystem in the North East." Rajesh Bhuyan, Director, Trustea Sustainable Tea Foundation, added, "Tea Next 2.0 is designed as a practical, field-oriented platform. By addressing green leaf quality, MRL compliance, and regenerative agriculture together, we are equipping smallholders with the knowledge and tools needed to sustain their livelihoods and strengthen the integrity of the tea value chain." Rajib Gohain, Board Member, Tea Board of India, Diganta Phukan, President, Confederation of Northeast Small Tea Growers Association and Manoranjan Saikia, Golaghat District President of All Assam Tea Growers Association, also spoke on the occasion. At the event, HUL felicitated thirty progressive tea growers for their outstanding production of premium-quality green leaf. Tea Next 2.0 builds on earlier engagements with smallholder communities (held in Dibrugarh in March 2025) and reinforces a collaborative approach among industry, sustainability institutions, and growers to address systemic challenges in the sector. (ANI)
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