Tea-RWE State-Level Convention: Celebrating Rural Women Entrepreneurs in the Tea Value Chain

The Tea-RWE State-Level Convention was held on 30 January 2026 at the Moniram Langneh Auditorium, Deithor, Karbi Anglong, Assam. Nearly 500 Rural Women Entrepreneurs (RWEs) from Nilip, Bokajan, and Rongmongve blocks participated in the convention, which celebrated women-led, chemical-free artisanal green tea enterprises and strengthened collective action across Assam’s tea value chain.

Organised under the Udyamini Programme, the convention was facilitated by Transform Trade with Grassroots Tea Corporation as the technical partner. The event served as a landmark platform for peer learning, collaboration, and enterprise development among rural women entrepreneurs.

Photo Credit: Asomiya Pratidin

Inaugural Session

Inaugurating the convention, Mrs. Tilottama Hansu, Executive Member, Dhanshiri, Karbi Anglong, described the gathering as an inspiring platform for women who have expanded their roles beyond household responsibilities to build sustainable businesses. She encouraged the RWEs to actively leverage state and central government schemes available for women entrepreneurs.

Providing the context of the convention, J. John, Mentor, Grassroots Tea Corporation, highlighted the transformation of women from raw green leaf sellers to collective processors and marketers of premium artisanal green tea. He emphasised how the initiative blends Karbi cultural heritage with innovation, supported by multiple institutional stakeholders.

Stakeholder Panel Discussion

An interactive panel discussion brought together representatives from key institutions supporting the tea sector and rural enterprises.

Dina Moni Kakati, Assistant Director, Tea Board of India, North-East Zonal Office, Guwahati, appreciated the quality-focused initiatives of RWEs and announced plans to establish a dedicated marketplace in Guwahati for handmade and artisanal teas. She also highlighted efforts to develop a Small Tea Growers’ brand and strengthen marketing channels to enhance visibility and income opportunities.

Loken Das, Chief General Manager, NABARD, assured participants of institutional support from NABARD to scale women-led enterprises. Sar Pangri Ronghang, Inspector, Taxation Department, Karbi Anglong district, informed that trade licence applications for 66 clusters of women processing artisanal green tea are under consideration.

Other panellists included Anjan Gogoi, Assistant Director, Golaghat District, Tea Board of India; Kripesh Neog, President, Small Tea Grower Association; Pinto, District Project Manager, ASRLM; and Svati Bhogle, Mentor, SELCO Foundation.

Experiences of Rural Women Entrepreneurs

In a dedicated session facilitated by Shilpa R. Marak, RWEs shared their journeys from tea leaf pluckers to artisanal green tea manufacturers.

Jonaki Terangpi described the shift away from chemical fertilisers and pesticides towards NADEP compost and self-prepared bio-pesticides. Lalita Rongpipi spoke about multiple iterations in dryer design, focusing on energy efficiency, occupational safety, and performance. Reginal Rongpipi highlighted the steps taken by RWE households to construct separate processing units. Alice Terangpi outlined standard operating procedures for green tea processing, including plucking, cleaning, steaming, rolling, drying, and packaging. Mirdan Ronghangpi shared insights on income enhancement achieved through value addition and direct marketing of premium artisanal tea.

Cross–Value Chain Learning: Udyamini Programme

A second panel session, moderated by Dipankar Sen Gupta, showcased experiences from other value chains under the Udyamini Programme.

Learnings from the Digital Empowerment Foundation were shared by Tonmoyee Sarma; the handloom value chain was presented by Nilav J. Gohain of Grameen Sahara; and the agricultural value chain by Uddip Nandi of SwitchON. Amit Kumar of ATVI and Mohammed Shoaib Rahman of Vrutti also contributed their perspectives.

Vijayata Verma, Coordinator, Udyamini Programme, emphasised the need to form state-level and national-level bodies of rural women entrepreneurs to collectively articulate their concerns and priorities.

Valedictory Session

In his concluding remarks, Indranil Niyogi urged RWEs to nurture long-term aspirations of becoming sustainable business units supported by a strong and enabling ecosystem. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Priya Engtipi, acknowledging the participation of RWEs, guests, panellists, and the women from the clusters who performed the Karbi dance.

Key Outcomes and Way Forward

Key outcomes of the convention included enhanced awareness of market linkages and government schemes, strengthened collective branding efforts, and reinforced institutional partnerships to scale women-led enterprises.

The Tea-RWE State-Level Convention concluded as a significant milestone in advancing women-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive, sustainable growth in Assam’s tea economy.