CISTA Calls for Seasonal Tea Plucking Restrictions to Boost Quality

The Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (CISTA) is advocating for a halt in tea plucking during the winter dormancy period to maintain high crop quality. This call to action was led by CISTA President Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty, who emphasized the necessity of stopping plucking by specified dates to avoid flooding the market with subpar tea.

Historically, the Tea Board has set definitive end dates for plucking in both large and small estates, a practice ongoing for eight years. This year, CISTA specifies that the plucking should end by December 25 in West Bengal and December 20 in Assam to prepare for the next cycle's superior crop.

The association also calls for the destruction of tea waste to prevent its reuse, further urging the Tea Board to announce plucking start dates in advance to assist growers in preparing for pruning activities effectively.