Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/673312
April 2016 63 by the Indian Government together with the Tea Board of India (in charge of the sector since 1953), the development and prog- ress of rural and urban Assam would not have been possible with out the constant support by the big Indian Families involved in tea. The Tata, Williamson Magor, Khaitan, Birla, Kanoi families and many others continually make vital contributions to all these improvements and developments. With capacity and technology under control, the current problems are due to erratic weather pattern in the past two years and the lack of skilled labor. Furthermore, depressed prices have severely eroded profits wherefore some estates have started to switch to alternative crops or even consider closing down. Competition is tough and the government is under pressure to assist with maintaining tea production, which is an important revenue earner for the state. When buying good teas from Assam the Western consumers should bear in mind the dire living con- ditions in this hot and humid region. They should also be fully aware of all the efforts provided to allow competent and respon- sible company management to constructively handle the daily work in the tea gardens, in order to maintain good crop condi- tions and good harvesting together with good environmental practices. Paying appropriate prices for genuine quality teas are the best means for sustaining production and correct living con- ditions in the tea villages of Assam. H+S Tee-Gesell_TC Feb12 2/10/12 3:27 PM Page 1 (Left) Rungagora Tea Estate cups. (Above left) Bherjan Estate organic green tea. (Above center) An Assam blend breakfast tea. (Above right) a Hathikuli Estate tea.