The relative success of the small holding sector over the estate sector plantations on productivity front could support the argument that the smaller holdings are better managed. This book discuss the contexts, Space as well as the constraints; how the tea smallholders in Assam are now placed to usher in the tea sector as in a vibrant and dominant production mode. The smallholding sector, however, at present reveals a crisis situation - largely due to pricing of the green tea leaves and deficiencies of processing infrastructures. These two factors could influence sustenance of the sector in the long run. It is also pointed out that in the tea smallholdings flexible use of labour is the key in raising efficiency and consolidation, in a poor human development and unlimited labour supply context. All call for regulatory provisioning to make the sector as a vibrant production mode as well as to ensure distributive justice for the people involved.

Dr.Kalyan das is Associate Professor at OKD institute of Social Change and Development, Guwahati

The Tea Smallholdings of Assam:
Search for Competitiveness and Inclusiveness
Kalyan Das

DYS PUBLISHERS
Panbazar, Guwahati

Contents
List of Tables iv
List of Abbreviations vii
Preface ix

Chapter I: Introduction: Perceiving inclusiveness
of the tea sector 1

Chapter II: The decüne of estate sector tea
plantations: Has it paved the
way for the smallholdings? 19
Chapter III: The tea smallholdings:
Space and operation of an
inclusive production mode 52

Chapter IV: Crisis: Pricing and infrastructure
in explaining sustenance of the
tea smallholdings 83

Chapter V:
References
Towards a mature regime:
Institutions and regulaüons 130
155
Index 179