Chhattisgarh: CM Bhupesh Baghel has decided to constitute Tea-Coffee Board to promote tea and coffee cultivation in the state

Raipur. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has decided to constitute Chhattisgarh Tea Coffee Board under the chairmanship of Agriculture Minister to promote the cultivation of tea and coffee in Chhattisgarh. Industries Minister Chhattisgarh will be the Vice-Chairman of the Tea-Coffee Board. Two special members including Additional Chief Secretary, Chief Minister’s Secretariate, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Managing Director CSIDC, one officer each from Agriculture / Horticulture and Forest Department will also be included in the board.

Chief Minister Mr. Baghel has said that Chhattisgarh Tea Coffee Board is being constituted with the aim to provide maximum benefits to the local farmers and the workers engaged in processing work and also to promote tea-coffee cultivation in the state. He said that in the next three years, the target of cultivating tea and coffee on minimum ten thousand acres of land would be achieved. The farmers cultivating tea and coffee will be benefitted under Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and they would also be provided various facilities by the Agriculture Department.

It is noteworthy that there is a huge potential for cultivation and processing of tea in the northern part of Chhattisgarh, especially in Jashpur district, while the southern part of the state, especially Bastar district has significant scope of coffee cultivation. Horticulture and Industries Department will play an important role in exploring and utilizing this potential. Institutions of national-repute would provide technical guidance, experts from the private sector will render their services and support of investors and consultants will also be taken to achieve the target.
Plateau region of Jashpur district has a favorable climatic condition for the cultivation of tea. Jashpur district is the only district in central India where tea gardens have been successfully developed. Tea cultivation is being encouraged under Government’s District Mineral Trust Fund, Joint Forest Management Committee of the Forest Department, Dairy Development Scheme and MNREGA Scheme. With State Government’s support and cooperation, around 50 farmers are cultivating tea on the 80 acres of agricultural land. Tea production can be commenced at full capacity only after the 5 years of tea plantation. Profit of Rs 2 lakh per acre  is expected once the production begins at full capacity.