A two-day global event named the ‘Bicentenary Assam Tea International Conference’ (BATIC) will be held in Guwahati from January 29th commemorating completion of 200 years of Assam tea’s history and trade.
Jointly organized by the Centre’s Commerce Ministry, Assam government and tea industry bodies, BATIC 2024 will host over 400 delegates from 24 countries offering industry perspectives.
Key discussion areas include sustainability, innovation, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency, promoting tea among youth and emerging international markets like Australia.
State commerce minister Bimal Borah outlined objectives like repositioning tea as a contemporary wellness beverage via creative branding to attract millennials and adapt to changing consumer preferences.
The high-profile event will also analyze measures for regenerative agriculture to help estates earn carbon credits along with preparing the industry for climate change impact through AI/ML applications.
On Jan 31st, the biennial FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea (IGG/Tea) plenary session will follow in Guwahati where global producing countries will assess landscape of the tea sector.
Industry leaders believe BATIC 2024 and IGG/Tea plenary will offer India, especially Assam, the opportunity to lead conversations on the beverage’s future, trade norms while showcasing heritage and local achievements before international community.
Assam produces over 50% of India’s tea, retaining its position as world’s single largest tea growing region since colonial times when the first Assam tea gardens sprouted in 1823.