GUWAHATI: The Assam government has initiated the rollout of Farmer IDs for small tea growers by including tea and plantation-class land holdings in the farmers' registry portal, a move aimed at improving their access to government schemes and agricultural support.
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Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the inclusion would enable eligible small tea growers to obtain Farmer IDs and access benefits through a single digital platform. He said the initiative would ensure the timely and requirement-based supply of fertilisers, improve access to government schemes, facilitate credit on better terms and help eliminate the role of middlemen in exploiting tea growers.
Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika said small tea growers now contribute nearly half of Assam's tea production. He said the government would ensure that every eligible grower is brought under the farmers' registry so that they can receive Farmer IDs and avail themselves of government schemes and other benefits.
Tea Board India data show that Assam had 1,33,864 small tea growers cultivating 1,26,107.64 hectares of tea plantations as of March 31, 2025. The government expects the rollout of Farmer IDs to improve the delivery of agricultural services and welfare benefits to this large section of tea growers.