Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Tea Board Pushes Indian Industry Toward Higher Value and Global Reach
India grows a lot of tea and sells some of it to other countries.
The Tea Board of India works to help the tea industry develop.
More than 10 million people earn a living from tea, and women make up about 58% of the workforce.
Small growers produce more than half of India’s tea.
A government scheme supports better tea bushes, improved quality and new products.
It also aims to help growers work together and reach markets.
Digital tools and research are part of the plan.
India’s special regional teas also have official identities that help show what makes them unique.
The Tea Board of India leads development and promotion of the tea industry under the Tea Act, 1953.
India produces about 1,396 million kg of tea annually, around 21% of global production, and exports more than 285 million kg.
The industry provides livelihoods to more than 10 million people; women make up about 58% of its workforce.
Small tea growers contribute more than half of India’s tea production, prompting efforts to improve their market access and support.
The Tea Development and Promotion Scheme backs replanting, productivity, value addition, exports, digital services, research and quality assurance.
- Who
- The Tea Board of India, tea producers and growers, including small tea growers.
- What
- The Tea Board is working to strengthen India’s tea industry through higher productivity, quality, exports and value-added products.
- When
- The Tea Board was established under the Tea Act, 1953; the article gives no date for the current initiatives.
- Where
- India, with tea cultivation concentrated mainly in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Why
- To strengthen the industry, improve growers’ support and market access, and enhance India’s position as a global tea producer and exporter.
Industry priorities
Industry challenges
Expansion and modernization
Industry priorities
The Tea Development and Promotion Scheme promotes replanting, higher productivity, value addition, exports, branding and digital services.
Industry challenges
The article identifies needs for improved quality, residue-standard compliance, pest management and better technological and market support for small growers.
- Annual production
- Around 1,396 million kg
- Share of global production
- About 21%
- Annual exports
- More than 285 million kg
- Industry livelihoods
- More than 10 million people
- Women in workforce
- Around 58%
- Small growers’ production share
- More than 50%
- Tea Board membership
- 31 members representing industry segments and Parliament
- Tea Development and Promotion Scheme
- Supports replanting, productivity, small growers, exports, quality, digital services and research