TEA PRODUCER SOCIETY 

Primary objective of QUP was to achieve Consistency in Quality in small tea sector. To achieve this, it was proposed to work on the concept of setting up of Tea Producers’ Society (TPS) with the large number of small growers who are loyal members supplying leaf to the 20 Quality tea procurement and service centres (QTPSC) under QUP which would attract more number of Growers into the Quality fold.  The Tea Board to this effect also launched special scheme for those setting up Tea Producers’ Society the details of which are give below;

1. Each society should have at least 20 small grower members under its command and it should have been registered as per the provisions of the Societies Act.
2. Each society and its members (self help group) should be registered with Tea Board.
3. The major activities of the Society should include:
1. Extension – Technology and information dissemination
2. Leaf collection, storage and transportation
3. Procurement and supply of inputs such as fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, sprayers, pruning machines etc., to the members of the society.

In order to encourage the small growers form Tea Producers’ Society (TPS) Tea Board under the 10th plan period has given special subsidies for setting up of TPS as detailed below;

Rate of subsidy for the Tea producers societies (Self Help Groups):

1. 50% subsidy for purchase of vehicle for transporting green leaves from fields to factory. 
2. 100% subsidy for setting up of leaf collection sheds with a ceiling limit of Rs.30,000/-
3. Actual cost will be reimbursed for purchase of Plastic crates, leaf carry bags and weighing machines
4. 25% subsidy for purchase of Pruning Machines subject to ceiling limit of Rs.5,000/- per machine for one Self Help Groups

Hence during the period it was proposed to convert all the 20 Quality Tea Procurement and Service centres into Tea Producers’ Societies and Awareness campaigns were conducted to motivate the SHGs to form TPS.  The details of the society formed in different parts of Nilgiris after QUP are as below;