Problems of Small Tea Growers (STGs) in Sivasagar District of Assam: A Sociological Study

Small Tea Industry is a significant part of tea industry. It is a rural based agro industry. Assam is the pioneer of producing tea and known as the ‘Garden of tea world’. Small Tea Growers (STGs) constitute an integral part of tea industry. The STGs covered 2.5 lakh hectares of land in India. Tea Board of India defines the Small Tea Growers holding area up to 10.12 hectares. Small Tea Growers contribute 25 per cent of total tea production of Assam, which is 500 million kg per year. The STGs of Sivasagar district play initiative role in tea production. Sivasagar alone has 10116 Small Tea Growers out of 1.2 lakh in the state. This study is based on primary data collected from 100 respondents of Sivasagar District by using purposive sampling method. We will highlight the Small Tea Growers socio-economic condition, various problems of Small Tea Growers.