One Tea Scheme gives tea farmers in Meghalaya a minimum guaranteed price for fresh tea leaves so they do not have to sell their produce at a loss. It covers the gap between the factory purchase price and the set minimum price, helping farmers earn a fair return while keeping tea processing alive in the state.
The scheme is still open for eligible tea growers in Meghalaya. Government of Meghalaya continues to run this price support through the Planning, Investment Promotion and Sustainable Development Department, and registered farmers can apply through the state's Meghalaya One portal.
One Tea Scheme Overview
Tea farmers in Meghalaya have faced falling factory gate prices and shrinking cultivation areas in recent years. This price support scheme tackles that problem by fixing a floor price for fresh tea leaves for a single season. Conventional tea growers get a guaranteed rate of ₹35 per kilogram, while organically certified growers get a higher rate of ₹40 per kilogram.
When the factory's purchase price falls below these guaranteed rates, the government pays the difference directly to the farmer through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This removes the fear of distress sales and encourages farmers to keep producing. The scheme also gives a one-time financial support to bought-leaf factories so they can continue buying and processing green leaf into manufactured tea.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | One Tea Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Meghalaya |
| Category | Agriculture, Rural and Environment |
| Benefit Type | Cash (DBT) |
| Guaranteed Rate | ₹35 per kg (conventional), ₹40 per kg (organic) |
| Nodal Department | Planning, Investment Promotion and Sustainable Development Department |
| Application Mode | Online (Meghalaya One portal) |
Benefits
This scheme protects the income of tea growers by fixing a minimum price and covering the shortfall whenever market prices drop below it. The benefits go to individual farmers as well as the factories that process their leaf.
- Guarantees a fair price of ₹35 per kilogram for conventional tea and ₹40 per kilogram for organically certified tea.
- Pays the difference between the factory rate and the guaranteed minimum directly through DBT, so farmers get the full amount they are owed.
- Supports up to 10,000 kg of production per farmer, keeping the benefit linked to actual output.
- Protects farmers from distress sales when factory gate prices fall sharply.
- Gives one-time financial support to bought-leaf factories to keep processing viable.
- Extends help to roughly 1,000 financially distressed tea farmers across the state.
Eligibility
Applicants need to meet a few basic conditions to qualify for the price support. The scheme is meant for individual tea growers who are residents of Meghalaya.
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of Meghalaya.
- Applicant must be a registered tea farmer growing fresh tea leaves.
- Applicant must hold a valid, government-issued identity document such as a Voter ID or PDS Ration Card.
Application Process
Eligible farmers can apply online through the Meghalaya One portal. New users first need to register on the portal before filling the application form.
STEP 1 - Visit the Meghalaya One official portal and open the One Tea Scheme page.
STEP 2 - Complete the registration on the portal using a valid ID such as a PDS Ration Card or EPIC Voter ID, then log in to your account.
STEP 3 - Select Apply for Services or Scheme and fill in all the required fields in the application form.
STEP 4 - Upload the mandatory documents, check the details once, and click Submit. You will receive a unique reference number to track your application.
Documents
Applicants must keep ready a valid proof of identity, such as a Voter ID or PDS Ration Card, along with details of their registered tea farm. These documents are checked as part of the verification before the benefit is released.
References
FAQ's
What is One Tea Scheme?
One Tea Scheme is a Meghalaya government price support scheme that guarantees tea farmers a minimum price for fresh tea leaves to protect their income.
Who is eligible?
Permanent residents of Meghalaya who are at least 18 years old and registered as tea farmers can apply.
What are the guaranteed rates?
The guaranteed rates are ₹35 per kilogram for conventional tea and ₹40 per kilogram for organically certified tea.
How is the payment made?
The scheme uses Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to pay the difference whenever the factory purchase price falls below the guaranteed floor price.
Do factories receive support?
Yes, bought-leaf factories receive a one-time financial adjustment to help them keep processing green leaf profitably.