FITMA : A New Chapter for The Tea Industry In India
Bought leaf tea manufacturers from Assam, North Bengal, and South India have united to form the Federation of Indian Tea Manufacturers Association (FITMA), aiming to collectively represent their interests and create a shared vision for India’s tea industry
In a landmark move aimed at fostering unity and amplifying collective voice, bought leaf tea manufacturers from Assam, North Bengal, and South India have come together under one national umbrella — the Federation of Indian Tea Manufacturers Association (FITMA). With the motto “One Association, One Vision, and Shared Future,” FITMA aspires to represent the interests, concerns, and aspirations of the bought leaf tea sector through a unified national platform.
The historic decision was formalised on Friday at a serene resort venue, where three major regional bodies — the Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association (ABLTMA), the North Bengal Tea Producers’ Welfare Association (NBTPWA), and the Nilgiris Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association (NBLTMA) — convened and unanimously agreed to form the federation.
The proposal to initiate such an all-India body was put forward by ABLTMA. Consequently, the new federation saw significant representation from the Assam delegation, with five members included in its governing structure. Deven Singh, long-time advisor to ABLTMA, has been appointed chairman of FITMA. He will be supported by two vice chairmen — Sanjay Dhanothi representing North Bengal and Dhananjayan Krishnamoorty from the Nilgiris. Vikash Agarwal (Mandhania) has been named as the federation’s secretary.
The formation of FITMA was followed by the annual general meeting of ABLTMA on Saturday. The meeting was marked by a renewed spirit of collaboration, culminating in an interactive session between tea manufacturers and buyers — an effort to foster dialogue and build trust across the value chain.
During the AGM, ABLTMA retained its current leadership unopposed. Chairman Chand Kumar Gohain, Vice Chairman Chandrajit Baruah, Secretary Gautam Beria, Assistant Secretary Deepak Pithani, and Coordinator and Publicity Secretary Aslam Khan were all reaffirmed in their respective roles. The executive body of ABLTMA was also expanded significantly — from seven to twenty-one members — in a move that signals greater inclusivity and regional representation.
In a poignant moment during the gathering, the association paid tribute to its founder, the late Narendra Tibrewal of Dibrugarh. His family was felicitated for his pioneering role in the creation of ABLTMA, a gesture that underscored the deep sense of legacy and gratitude within the community.
The evening concluded with a cultural event titled ‘Ek Shaam Chai Ke Saath’, which began with a solemn shraddhanjali for the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and prayers for their grieving families.
The gathering was further enriched by the presence of dignitaries including Arunita Phukan Yadav, Executive Director of Tea Board of India (North Eastern Zonal Office), Dr Jesto George, Joint Director, FSSAI, Venkatesan Selvaraj, Director, Tea Research Association, and Prabhat Kamal Bezboruah, former Chairman of the Tea Board of India. Also in attendance was Bijaygopal Chakraborty, Advisor to CISTA.
Two remarkable individuals were honoured during the event. Rameshbhai Patel, a stalwart packager from Maharashtra, received the ‘Axom Binandini Award’ for his unwavering support to Assam’s tea industry over the past five decades. Environmental crusader Jadav Payeng — famously known as the Forest Man of India — was felicitated with the ‘Prakriti Ratna Bota’ by ABLTMA for his extraordinary contribution in creating a forest single-handedly.
As FITMA takes its first bold step onto the national stage, the tea manufacturing community looks ahead with optimism — united by a shared vision, fortified by solidarity, and committed to shaping a sustainable and equitable future for the Indian tea industry.
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