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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 12/07/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (12-07-2025).

❓ Question:

Small Tea Growers (STGs) contribute significantly to Assam’s tea economy but remain vulnerable to price exploitation and market volatility.
Discuss the need for a Price Protection Scheme for STGs and suggest measures to ensure their sustainable income and welfare.
(Word Limit: 250)

✅ Model Answer:

🔸 Introduction
Small Tea Growers (STGs), who own less than 25 acres of land, contribute over 50% of Assam’s total tea production. Despite this, they face systemic challenges—low prices, weak bargaining power, and lack of institutional protection. The demand for a Price Protection Scheme (PPS) reflects a critical need to ensure income stability and fair market access for STGs.

🔹 Need for Price Protection Scheme

Exploitative Pricing: Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs) often pay below the Minimum Benchmark Price (MBP), leaving growers underpaid.
Ineffective PSF: The current Price Sharing Formula is poorly enforced and excludes actual market realization.
Market Volatility: Green leaf prices fluctuate seasonally, leaving growers financially insecure.
Cost Burden: Rising input costs and low auction returns diminish profitability.
Lack of Data Transparency: STGs are unaware of the final price their produce fetches in auctions or private sales.

🔹 Measures for Sustainable Welfare

Strategy	Suggestion
New PPS Model	Base payments on total revenue realization (auction + private sales), like the Sri Lanka model.
Transparent Auditing	Tea Board must enforce mandatory factory-wise disclosure of sale prices.
Collective Bargaining	Promote STG-led cooperatives and FPOs to bypass middlemen.
Skilling and Certification	Train growers in quality plucking, organic cultivation, and value addition.
Access to Finance	Expand microcredit and insurance tailored to STG needs.

🔸 Conclusion
Empowering Assam’s STGs through a robust and transparent price protection mechanism is not only essential for their welfare but also vital to ensure the sustainability of India’s global tea leadership. A fair pricing ecosystem will promote dignity, resilience, and long-term viability for millions dependent on this green economy.

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