Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong tea growers gain skills in handmade tea processing through Aaranyak training

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 5, 2025

In a move to strengthen livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak recently conducted two training sessions on handmade tea processing in the Diring River Basin of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKL), Assam.

The sessions brought together twelve new trainees and three refresher participants, all small tea growers from Sivoram Terang and Sarbura Singnar villages. The initiative was designed to equip participants with practical skills and advanced knowledge to improve the quality, marketability, and sustainability of handmade tea production.

The training was led by Mina Tokbipi, a local tea expert from Englepathar village, who guided participants through the entire cycle of tea processing—covering plucking techniques, withering, rolling, drying, and quality evaluation. The hands-on approach ensured that growers could directly apply techniques tailored to small-scale production while aligning with market expectations.

“This programme is a step toward empowering our local farmers with the knowledge and skills to produce premium handmade teas, ensuring both economic growth and the preservation of our region’s tea-making legacy,” Tokbipi said.

The programme placed emphasis not only on technical skills but also on sustaining the region’s tea heritage. Growers were encouraged to see their work as a contribution to both cultural identity and local economic resilience.

Participants expressed appreciation for the training’s practical value. Jevilyn Hansepi, who had attended a similar session in 2023, noted: “I had taken the training before, but forgot some of the processing steps. Coming back helped me regain my confidence and learn new techniques to improve my tea quality.” First-time participant Rani Singnarpi added, “We’re deeply grateful to Aaranyak for conducting such programmes. These skills will help our households and also boost our local economy.”

The training was coordinated by Avinash Phangcho and Moromi Nath, with support from Uttaran Dutta of Aaranyak. It forms part of a broader initiative to empower small tea growers, enhance livelihoods, and align agricultural practices with biodiversity conservation goals in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong and Manas landscapes.

Supported by IUCN-KfW and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Aaranyak plans to replicate such training in other villages to further expand handmade tea production across the region.

By blending sustainable practices with local expertise, the initiative aims to position handmade tea as both an economic opportunity for rural communities and a symbol of Assam’s rich cultural heritage.