Uttarbanga Khudra Prantik Cha Chasi Samity (UBKPCCS): Empowering Tea Society

Since its inception in 1994, the Uttarbanga Khudra/ Prantik Cha Chasi Samity (UBKPCCS) has been
working relentlessly with Small and Marginal Tea Growers or Farmers for the betterment of their lives.
With branches located in various parts of North Bengal including Debithakurbari, Talmahat, and
Jalpaiguri, the Samity has been empowering tea society with various plans, programs, and activities.
Presently, all activities and functions of UBKPCCS are spearheaded by its dynamic and pro-grower
President Ranjit Ganguly who outlines the objectives of the Samity with clarity. According to him, the
first priority of the UBKPCCS is to create employment opportunities for the rural Populace of the region
(North Bengal). Secondly, the Samity aims to provide direct and indirect trading platforms to tea
Growers. And finally, it aims to empower the entire tea society.

As of now, members of the UBKPCCS have reached 6,400 along with 27 Self Help Groups (SHGs) or
Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations (FPOs). The Samity has been Our Association has been facilitating all
kinds of farming support to the farmers. It makes growers aware of the policies, programmes and
benefits that are being offered by the Tea Board of India, the State Government and the Central
Government.

Training is the most important activity UBKPCCS undertakes time and again. It has been conducting
Training programmes for Summer, Rainy, and Winter seasons for the Samity Members and impart
valuable knowledge with regard to Cultivation management. Training Programmes are conducted in
association with Tea Board and Tea Research Association.

“We are closely working for better pricing of the green leaf tea. UBKPCCS is a member of the District
Leaf Monitoring Committee in different districts of West Bengal. Moreover, we are helping growers both
as a Group or individuals to avail of different subsidies under various Schemes of the Government,” says
Mr Ganguli.

Among different groups, two of our Groups are running the Tea Manufacturing Unit with the help Tea
Board and UBKPCCS. Tea Manufacturing Units include “Purboharomati Small Tea Growers’ Welfare
Society” which produces 3.5 lakh Metric Tons of CTC TEA annually with the Brand name “Om Bari” Tea.
Another Group’s Unit is known as “Bhotpatti Uttaryanan Prantik Small Tea Grower’s Welfare Society.”
These units are also taking a big leap in tea processing.

To further empower growers, UBKPCCS also frequently organizes Tea Tours across the country for its
members and groups. The Samity presents an inspiring operational module that takes care of each
stakeholder of the tea society of the Region.