Guwahati played host to the two-day bi-centenary Assam Tea International Conference, a significant event commemorating the completion of 200 years of Assam tea cultivation. The conference, known as BATIC2024, aimed to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge on tea and foster information-sharing among stakeholders of the Indian and global tea industry.
On the concluding day of the conference, January 30, several sessions with diverse themes were held, drawing participation from delegates representing 25 countries. BATIC serves as a vital platform, bringing together buyers and sellers in the tea industry for networking, auctions, and exhibitions. It also facilitates global collaborations within the tea sector, with the FAO IGG (Intergovernmental Group on Tea) playing a crucial role in serving as a forum for intergovernmental consultation and exchange on trends in the production, consumption, trade, and prices of tea.
Addressing the gathering, Assam Minister Bimal Borah acknowledged the monumental contributions made by contemporary figures in the early days of the establishment of the tea industry in Assam. He emphasized the paramount importance of the tea industry and its substantial contributions to Assam’s socio-economic development and global reputation. Minister Borah underscored the industry’s role in providing livelihoods to both large and small tea growers and workers, while also creating numerous employment opportunities for allied industries.
Minister Borah stressed the critical need for embracing sustainable agricultural and manufacturing practices, integrating cutting-edge technology, and devising a strategic roadmap for sustainable expansion and scalability. He also highlighted the significance of exploring untapped markets and demographics, as well as enhancing value across the entire manufacturing, packaging, and distribution chains to effectively compete in an increasingly dynamic and competitive global marketplace.
“The bi-centenary Assam Tea International Conference aims to guide the industry forward, with the full support of the Government of Assam,” stated Minister Borah.
Scientist Ruanjali Deb Baruah addressed concerns about climate change, noting a decrease in rainfall by 200 mm over the course of more than 100 years and a 1.3-degree Celsius increase in minimum temperature in the South bank region of Assam. Baruah emphasized the adverse impact of these changes on tea plantations and stressed the need for timely adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Dinesh Bihani, Secretary of the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyer’s Association (GTABA), reported fruitful discussions during the conference, particularly on topics such as climate change, carbon, agriculture, and tea. Atul Asthana, Chairman of the Indian Tea Association, commended the initiative, stating, “It’s a good initiative to organize such an international conference to celebrate 200 years of Assam tea. All stakeholders of the tea industry are present today. Not only India, delegates from other countries have also participated.”
