Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, while addressing the National Conference on Safe Tea Production organised by Sankalp Foundation in New Delhi today, stated that India is renowned globally for iconic teas such as Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri. However, he stressed that the country must develop a wider portfolio of internationally marketable products to expand its global footprint.
Shri Goyal highlighted that India must look beyond its traditional strengths and create innovative blends that cater to changing consumer preferences, rising health trends, and evolving premium lifestyle markets across the world. He underlined that sustainable cultivation practices, responsible labour standards, and continuous innovation are essential to ensure top-quality tea with low MRL levels.
He urged researchers and scientists to leverage India’s diverse agro-climatic strengths to develop new varieties and high-value products that can unlock fresh export opportunities. Innovation-driven value addition, he said, would not only help India strengthen its global position but also ensure better returns for farmers — especially small growers. Continuous research, experimentation and product development will play a crucial role in ensuring that Indian tea remains competitive, distinctive, and future-ready in the rapidly evolving global tea industry.
Shri Goyal noted that India is among the world’s largest tea producers and exporters, exporting nearly 255 million tonnes of tea annually. Emphasising the need to safeguard this vital industry—which holds an integral place in India’s hospitality and trade culture—he said that the insights gained from the conference would greatly support the Ministry and Tea Board in strengthening the sector further.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, several initiatives have been rolled out to support small tea growers, workers and associated stakeholders. Tea, he said, is deeply woven into India’s social fabric and plays an important role in bringing families and communities together.
Stressing that the government is committed to improving the lives of tea producers, Shri Goyal said that inputs from stakeholders, researchers and industry veterans are invaluable for shaping effective policies. He highlighted the government’s ₹1,000 crore support package for tea growers and initiatives like the Tea Mitra App, which helps small growers secure better prices for their produce.
He emphasised the need for full traceability across the tea supply chain, ensuring quality is maintained at every stage — from plucking and processing to packaging and export. He urged researchers, industry stakeholders and young entrepreneurs to explore emerging technologies such as blockchain to ensure end-to-end transparency. Such systems, he explained, can record each stage of the production cycle, identify the exact source, grade and quality of each batch, prevent mixing with low-grade or imported teas, and ensure that only authentic Indian blends reach consumers. Strong traceability will enhance India’s reputation as a leading global tea producer, build greater trust among international buyers, and secure better prices for farmers and small growers.
Shri Goyal also encouraged large-scale adoption of innovative and sustainable agricultural practices. Technologies such as drip irrigation, he said, could significantly improve water efficiency and overall productivity. The future of the tea sector, he stressed, depends on adopting environmentally responsible practices at every stage of cultivation and processing.
He urged stakeholders to explore biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, stating that such measures would help the industry meet global sustainability expectations. Reiterating the need to increase the share of value-added, branded and packaged tea in both domestic and global markets, he said India must continue moving up the value chain.
