The Better Income Project continues to transform the lives of Small Tea Growers (STGs) across 7 districts and 35 blocks in Assam and North Bengal, bringing together livelihood diversification, government linkages, and agri-entrepreneurship.
Key Highlights – August 2025
- Government Schemes:
One FPO of 68 STGs accessed Tea Board of India’s promotional schemes worth ₹25.53 lakh, receiving harvesters, sprayers, pruning machines, leaf-carrying vehicles, and IT support—significantly reducing production costs and improving efficiency.
- Identity & Access:
133 STGs received biometric ID cards certified by the Tea Board, enabling them to access future government schemes.
- Education Support:
38 meritorious students (10 Class X & 28 Class XII) received Tea Board scholarships totaling ₹3.6 lakh, supporting higher education in tea-growing families.
- Self-Help Groups:
A new SHG, Bishnu Small Tea Growers SHG, was created in Moran to enable growers to access subsidy-linked Tea Board schemes collectively.
- Enterprise Development:
Five AEs received input shop and fertilizer licenses after completing NIAM training, opening up new income streams in Golaghat and Tinsukia.
- Livelihood Diversification:
STGs are adopting alternate enterprises—mushroom cultivation (9 growers), piggery (38 growers), poultry (37 growers), goat rearing (5 growers), and arecanut plantation (5 growers)—creating multiple pathways to resilience and better income.
- Market Linkages:
748 STGs connected to markets for king chili sales.
- Health & Veterinary Support:
- A medical health camp in Moran served 97 patients, linking them to Assam Medical College for follow-up care.
- A livestock vaccination program, in collaboration with the District Veterinary Department, covered 200 cattle, 160 goats, and 80 pigs.
- Mechanized Tea Plucking Training:
In Tinsukia, 22 STGs received hands-on training on machine plucking, covering maintenance, quality, and efficiency to overcome labor shortages.
Impact at a Glance
- Farmers Reached: 1,345
- Trainings/Meetings: 19
- Agri-Entrepreneurs (AEs): 286 active (223 men, 63 women)
- New Livelihood Streams: Mushroom, piggery, poultry, goatery, arecanut
- Government Linkages: 2 promotional schemes secured
The Better Income Project is not only reducing costs and building resilience but also broadening income sources for tea growers. By combining government support, market linkages, and entrepreneurship, the project is helping smallholders create sustainable, dignified livelihoods.
