Status and Challenges for Sustainable Rural Livelihood Faced by the Small Tea Growers (STG) in the Darjeeling Hills, India

Small Tea Growers (STGs) play a vital role in the tea production landscape of the Darjeeling Himalayan region, and comprehending their livelihoods is essential for informed decision-making in both policy and industry circles. This study delves deep into the lives of STGs, drawing upon an extensive dataset (n = 927) collected from various blocks in the region using a purposeful random sampling technique. The primary data revealed the existence of five primary livelihood categories, viz. Tea Growers (78%), Agriculture and Horticulture (12%), Service (8%), Tourism (1%), and the Unorganized sector (1%). The average farm size in Pulbazar-Bijanbari is 0.18 ha, resulting in high land productivity, translating to an impressive annual tea production of 922.14 kg. In contrast, regions like Gorubathan, Mirik, and Algarah, with larger farm sizes ranging from 0.52 to 0.86 ha. Demographically, the age distribution of STGs reveals that those in Kurseong are relatively younger, with an average age of 49.25 yr, potentially contributing to the better adoption of modern agricultural techniques. Furthermore, Kurseong boasts relatively higher educational levels, with an average of 7 years of formal education. Income levels vary across blocks, with Pulbazar-Bijanbari generating the highest annual income of Rs. 208,604.44, while Algarah reports a comparatively lower income of approximately Rs. 110,448.98. To gauge overall well-being, a Livelihood Index was formulated, with Kurseong registering the highest index at 0.33, signifying relatively better overall living conditions. The Tea sector exhibited a Livelihood Index of 0.32, indicating a somewhat better quality of life compared to the Tourism sector, which displayed a lower index of 0.30. Additionally, the study pinpointed a strong correlation (r = 0.98) between land productivity and income, underscoring the pivotal role of land productivity in determining STGs’ income across different sectors. This outcome suggests that tea production significantly influence the income of the growers in this region which controls their livelihood pattern. Therefore, it can be concluded on the basis of annual income that tea production-based livelihood is the most sustainable livelihood which needs to be improved through modern farming mechanisms and financial opportunities.