Tripura CM Manik Saha inaugurated the Agartala Tea Auction Centre, marking a major milestone for the state’s tea industry. The new electronic auction platform aims to improve tea marketing, strengthen market access and increase economic opportunities for small tea growers.
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha inaugurated the Agartala Tea Auction Centre (ATAC) at Pandit Nehru Complex in Agartala on October 29, marking a significant milestone in the development of the state’s tea industry. The new facility is expected to strengthen tea marketing, improve market access for local producers and create fresh economic opportunities for small tea growers.
Chief Minister Manik Saha said the inauguration of the auction centre had opened a new chapter in Tripura’s tea industry. He expressed confidence that the initiative would create new opportunities for expanding the sector, improving the marketing of locally produced tea and enhancing the economic condition of tea cultivators.
According to the Chief Minister, Tripura ranks fifth among India’s tea-producing states and second in the Northeast. The state has 54 tea gardens, producing approximately 70 lakh to one crore kilograms of tea annually. Around 2,800 small tea growers are associated with the industry, and the state government has been taking various initiatives to protect their interests and improve their livelihoods.
The inauguration programme was attended by Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma and other officials and representatives associated with the tea industry.
Tripura Tea Development Corporation (TTDC) Chairman Samir Ghosh described the auction centre as a long-awaited initiative that could transform the state’s tea marketing and trading system. He said the facility would introduce a structured and modern electronic auction mechanism, enabling tea producers to connect directly with buyers.
Until now, tea producers in Tripura have largely depended on auction centres outside the state, particularly in Kolkata and Guwahati. Transporting tea to these markets involves additional expenses related to transportation, warehousing, sampling and handling. The establishment of the Agartala Tea Auction Centre is expected to reduce these logistical challenges and provide producers with a more convenient marketing platform.
The state’s tea industry has a substantial economic and employment contribution. Tripura currently has 54 tea gardens, including five operated by TTDC, 13 managed by cooperative societies and 36 run by private entities. The state also has 23 functioning tea factories, comprising two under TTDC, five cooperative-managed and 16 privately operated units.
More than 15,000 workers and employees are directly engaged in tea cultivation and processing activities, making the sector an important source of livelihood for thousands of families.
The auction centre has been developed with the objective of connecting local tea producers with buyers, exporters, blenders and tea packers from different parts of the country. The electronic bidding system is expected to improve transparency, strengthen price discovery and provide producers with better opportunities to receive competitive prices for their products.
The initiative also aims to support small tea growers and bought-leaf factories, which often face difficulties accessing organised marketing networks. A locally accessible auction platform could reduce dependence on intermediaries and help establish a more efficient trading system.
The process of establishing the auction centre began with a departmental review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha on May 17, 2023. During the meeting, the proposal for introducing a tea e-auction facility in Tripura received approval.
The project subsequently received support from Tea Board India, followed by consultations with tea producers and sellers across the state. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the facility on March 14, 2024, at Pandit Nehru Complex.
Further preparations included consultations with auctioneers, bidders and other industry stakeholders. The Association of Tea Auctioneers (ATA), Kolkata, was selected through an e-tender process to provide auction and warehouse management services. A formal agreement between TTDC and ATA was signed in August 2025.
To encourage buyers to participate in auctions at Agartala, the state government has also introduced transportation incentives. Financial assistance has been approved for buyers transporting tea through the new auction system to make the facility more competitive with established auction markets outside Tripura.
Preparations for the electronic auction platform have progressed through the development of a dedicated online portal under the Tea Board India framework. Trial auctions have also been conducted, while buyers, sellers and brokers have completed their registration processes.
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The inauguration of the Agartala Tea Auction Centre is expected to strengthen Tripura’s position in India’s tea economy by providing producers with improved marketing facilities and wider market opportunities. The state government aims to make the tea sector more competitive while supporting small growers, generating employment and promoting economic development.
With the new auction facility becoming operational, Tripura’s tea industry is expected to gain an important platform for expanding its presence in national and international markets.
