Mukherjee asks Darjeeling Tea industry to maintain quality

The Dollar Business Bureau

President Pranab Mukherjee, on Thursday, lauded Darjeeling Tea Association for maintaining the brand ‘Darjeeling Tea,’ which is the most preferred tea at breakfast tables in various countries.

Mukherjee stated that tea is a significant export commodity of India and promoting exports of tea is an element of the planned economic development and Darjeeling tea, particularly for connoisseurs, occupies unique place amongst all the available tea variants

India is the top second tea producing country in the world after China, said the President at the annual general meeting of Darjeeling Tea Association. India is followed by Kenya and Sri Lanka.

While extending gratitude towards GTA and Gorkha Territorial Administration for working in coordination with Centre and State governments as well as Tea Board for registration and protection of Darjeeling Tea as geographical indicator, Mukherjee stated that Darjeeling tea was India’s first commodity to be recognized by European Commission as ‘Protected geographical Indication.’

The President further stated that Darjeeling tea, originating from a tourist destination of India, emerged as one of the best tea brands in the world.

Mukherjee further asked the exporters of Darjeeling tea to continue maintaining the quality and the unique brand name in conformity to global trade norms.

The total tea output of India is 9 lakh tonnes per annum as against China which produces 1 million tonne of tea. The Darjeeling tea industry provides employment to one lakh people, including 40,000 seasonal workers.

The governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi and other dignitaries were also present during the annual general meet of GTA.