Indian tea associations unite to form national federation and launch Mission 1K campaign

In a significant development for the Indian tea industry, three prominent regional tea associations have come together to establish a unified national body aimed at representing manufacturers and advancing the sector’s interests. The Nilgiris Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association, North Bengal Tea Producers Welfare Association, and the Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association (ABLTMA) collectively formed the Federation of Indian Tea Manufacturers Association (FITMA). This new federation will serve as the voice for over 525 tea factories that produce an estimated 615 million kilograms of tea annually across the country.

The announcement was made on 27 April during the “Dil Se – Bought Leaf – Kal Aaj aur Kal” Townhall event held in Dibrugarh, Assam. The event was hosted by Deven Singh, who has also been elected the first chairman of FITMA. Vikas Mandhania from ABLTMA was appointed as its first secretary. The creation of FITMA aims to facilitate collaboration with various stakeholders, including government bodies and the Tea Board of India, focused on promoting the interests of small tea growers and the bought leaf tea industry.

Industry leaders from major firms such as Tata Consumer Products, Hindustan Unilever, and Wagh Bakri were present at the townhall. Rajdeep Sikand, Nilesh Choudhury, and Paras Desai respectively participated in discussions assessing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the bought leaf tea sector. Deven Singh emphasised the rapid expansion of the sector, citing that bought leaf tea now accounts for approximately 55% of India’s total tea output, achieved within just four decades.

The forum underlined the critical role FITMA should adopt as a leadership and advocacy body to safeguard millions of livelihoods, enhance the development of small tea growers, and ensure a sustained supply of high-quality tea to consumers nationally and internationally.

A notable launch during the event was the “Mission 1K” initiative, introduced by Deven Singh. This national campaign aspires to raise India's annual per capita tea consumption from the current average of 862 grams to 1,000 grams. Tea Board Executive Director Arunita Phukan Yadav officially inaugurated the campaign’s promotional sticker, featuring the slogan “Mission 1K – Chai Piyo Mauj Mein Raho” in several major Indian languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi, highlighting the inclusive approach embraced in promotion efforts.

This comprehensive programme also incorporated a buyer felicitation ceremony recognising key contributors, an exhibition showcasing vendors serving the tea industry, and a series of cultural performances — including traditional Sattriya, folk, and Bihu dances — reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage. The event attracted over 500 participants encompassing a wide cross-section of the tea sector.

Coinciding with the townhall, ABLTMA held its annual general meeting to mark its 30th anniversary. During this session, Chand Kumar Gohain was elected as chairman for the 2025–2028 tenure. The meeting solemnly honoured the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and recognised the family of the late CA Narendra Tibrewal for foundational contributions to the association.

The evening was further distinguished by ceremonial awards recognising long-term dedication and environmental efforts. The Axom Binandini Award was bestowed upon Rameshbai Patel in acknowledgement of her five decades of support to Assam’s tea industry. Additionally, the Prakriti Ratna Bota was awarded to Padmashri Jadav Payeng, widely known as “The Forest Man of India,” celebrated for his environmental advocacy and reforestation work.

The event concluded with the singing of the Indian National Anthem, embodying the unifying and progressive spirit of the gathering.

The developments around the establishment of FITMA and initiatives like Mission 1K indicate a coordinated effort within the Indian tea sector to boost growth, support small growers, and expand the tea consumer base, heralding a new chapter for the industry’s future.