Assam, India’s top tea producer, contributes 50% of the country’s tea and 1/6th of global production. Small tea growers (STGs) emerged in the late 1970s, now totalling 1.22 lakh, responsible for 52% of Assam’s 2021-22 tea output. Most own less than 2 acres, with over 50% in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, driven by factors such as available land, favourable climate, technology, labour, and market access. Despite the importance of tea, price fluctuations pose income risks. The IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative collaborates with Unilever and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) to enhance STG incomes, promote sustainability, and diversify income sources. Ecociate conducted a baseline study to assess actual and potential STG’s income for project KPIs.

Objectives

The study’s key goals involve conducting a baseline study for 1000 small tea growers connected to four BLFs and HUL’s supply chain in Assam’s Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts. It aims to establish baseline values for Key Performance Indicators, evaluate actual and feasible income based on primary data, assess the project role of the STGSP platform, and provide recommendations.

Approach and Methodology

Ecociate employed a mixed-method approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods, to conduct the study in the tea sector. Data was gathered from small tea growers (STGs), industry experts, traders, and other relevant ecosystem players in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, complemented by comprehensive secondary research. Online consultations with tea sector experts were also conducted to efficiently deliver project outcomes.

Quantitative surveys targeted 400 households of small tea farmers linked to four bought-leaf factories. Additionally, qualitative data collection involved focus group discussions with STGs to gain a deeper understanding of their practices and the ecosystem. This also included exploring the reasons and logic behind the practices they either followed or did not follow. In-depth interviews were conducted with industry stakeholders, market players, and government officials to gather insights on the package of practices for both farm and non-farm activities, government schemes and welfare programs for small tea farmers, the nature of support provided to STGs, special programs aimed at increasing STGs’ income, convergence opportunities, and opportunities for income diversification for small tea farmers.

Results

The study established baseline data for small tea growers in Assam’s Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts, who are connected to four BLFs and HUL’s supply chain. It defined Key Performance Indicators, assessed actual and potential income based on primary data, and provided actionable recommendations to enhance the livelihoods and sustainability of small tea growers. Furthermore, the study assisted IDH and HUL in gaining insights into the livelihood patterns, tea cultivation practices, challenges, cultivation costs, and actual and feasible income sources of small tea growers.

Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) is working in 12 states and 50 districts across the nation and reaching 2.8 million people in various geographies. ACF has been working in the Haridwar district since 2006 in 36 villages through various community development programs. ACF started the organic farming program in 2011 to promote the availability of safe and healthy foods to farmers, reduce the negative impact on the environment and reduce the farmer’s cultivation cost. It started with 6 villages, 50 farmers, and 20 hectares of land in the Bhagwanpur block of Haridwar district. ACF is promoting organic and natural farming practices under the agro-based livelihood program. One Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) has been formed in 2018 and is working in the entire value chain of organic production, certification, and marketing with 654 farmers.

Objectives

The core objective of the study was to conduct a comprehensive baseline report for establishing the current status of both short term and long-term indicators in organic farming.

Approach and Methodology

To conduct the baseline study, we employed a mixed methods approach that included a literature review, as well as quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. The study focused on gathering information from 5 villages in the Bhagwanpur block and 20 villages in the Narsan block, both located in the Haridwar district.

For the quantitative data collection, we surveyed a total of 400 farmers from households (HHs), with 100 from the Bhagwanpur block and 300 from the Narsan block. To ensure accuracy and consistency, we developed a comprehensive structured questionnaire for collecting data at the HH level.

In addition, we utilized qualitative data collection methods to gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystem, gaps, and challenges. This involved conducting focus group discussions with farmers and members of the Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Furthermore, in-depth discussions were held with government officials, extension service providers, the certification agency, and the project team.

By combining these different methods, we aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the current situation, enabling us to identify potential areas for improvement and formulate effective strategies moving forward.

Results

Through the implementation of a comprehensive baseline study, ACF successfully established and documented the fundamental values of the project indicators. This achievement has paved the way for ACF to actively collaborate with farmers, encouraging the adoption of organic and natural agricultural practices.