Darjeeling tea zone gets AEZ status

Darjeeling, housing around 87 tea gardens, will be converted into an agri-export zone (AEZ) and received the required approvals from the central and state government.

Addressing members of Darjeeling Planters' Association (DAP) at the annual general meeting, Sabysachi Sen, principal secretary, state commerce and industries department said, an in-principal approval had been received from the government of India.

Under the scheme, the AEZ was expected to give a focus and direction for exports for key agricultural produce.

It involves a detailed action plan for development of a specified geographic area for effecting systematically greater exports of a specific produce.

There were no tax incentives under the AEZ scheme.

The scheme however would have financial bearings as the industry would get the support of the government of India to create the necessary infrastructure, on an ongoing basis.

The scheme was under the ministry of commerce, government of India, through APEDA (the Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority), the nodal agency for AEZ.

Sen said a long-term solution was needed for the tea industry in Darjeeling.

Under the AEZ all aspects of agriculture such as production, research, development, extension, post harvest management and marketing are addressed in a focused manner for successful implementation. For instance modern production practices are introduced for production of exportable quality produce and improved productivity.

The emphasis would be on setting up of appropriate produce-specific post harvest infrastructure and introduce post harvest practices, right from farm all the way to market.

Another important area of focus under AEZ is marketing, market promotion and market development for Indian produce.

The need for market oriented research, development and extension activities have been recognised under the AEZ and appropriate activities proposed to achieve both near term and long term goals of the Indian export industry and is achieved under AEZ by instituting appropriate interventions at the government level and producer-exporter level.

Meanwhile, a survey was being done in Darjeeling to evaluate the deficits and requirements of the tea industry, said N K Das, chairman Tea Board of India.

The Tea Board has also appointed SBI Caps to do a study on the replantation and rejuvenation fund and the corpus of special fund.

K S David, chairman DPA said that there was undercutting in prices among the different players in Darjeeling. Prices in Darjeeling were less than prices prevailing in the rest of the world and would have to be addressed.