DIBRUGARH, Aug 17 - In an effort to create mass awareness on the quality of green tea leaves among the small tea growers across the State, the All Assam Small Tea Growers Association (AASTGA) today launched a �jana jagaran yatra� from its head office at Lahowal near here.
The small tea growers� body has decided to reach out to all growers in the rural areas through the yatra within 40 days. The AASTGA leadership wants to educate the growers on various issues pertaining to quality green tea leaf production. The central office-bearers of the AASTGA along with the regional committee members and local small tea growers attended the inaugural function.
Rohit Borgohain, general secretary, AASTGA, while talking to this correspondent, said that the quality of Assam tea was gradually diminishing and therefore, the small tea growers� body had resolved to bring back the past glory. �Our aim is to create awareness on the need for maintaining quality for sustainable development and better market, while engaging ourselves in the massive green revolution for one�s own economic stability,� he said.
In keeping with the 40-day �jana jagaran yatra�, the AASTGA leadership will tour all the districts in the State and conduct awareness programmes at the regional level for the small tea growers in the rural areas.
Meanwhile, the AASTGA has expressed annoyance at the non-cooperation by the Small Tea Growers Development Directorate in the campaign. �It is the duty of the directorate to educate the small tea growers on quality and other issues relating to plantation and production, but this directorate is not showing any interest in this regard,� Borgohain said.
