Guwahati, June 1 -- The North East Confederation of Small Tea Growers' Association (NECSTGA), an Assam-based umbrella organisation, has intensified its appeal to the central government, urging immediate interventions to safeguard India's 200-year-old tea industry.

Representing small tea growers who account for a significant 52% of the nation's total tea production, NECSTGA has sought crucial steps, including weather-based crop insurance and stringent regulation of leaf-dealing agents.

In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, NECSTGA cited the critical challenges facing small tea growers, stating the need for urgent policy reforms.

NECSTGA officials stated, "Small tea gro...