The beginning of a new era of tea research in India was marked by the establishment of the Scientific Department of Indian Tea Association (ITA) in the year 1900. This was consolidated with the creation of the Tocklai Experimental Station in 1911.
The formation of the Tea Research Association (TRA) in 1964 with Tocklai at the centre of all activities further expanded the horizon of tea research to cover the entire Northeast India. Research on all aspects of tea cultivation and processing is carried out at the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Jorhat, the oldest and the largest research station of its kind in the world. Transfer of technology to its member estates is carried out through its advisory network covering 1,076 tea estates occupying 341,049 hectares (1,317 sq mi) of land spread over The South Bank, North Bank, Upper Assam, Cachar, Tripura, Dooars, Darjeeling and Terai. Tocklai has its regional R & D Centre at Nagrakata, West Bengal.
The organisation undertakes basic and applied research on tea cultivation and processing for northeast India. A large chunk of the research work is carried out at Tocklai, while area-specific research for Dooars is carried out at NBRRDC, Nagrakata. Research on pharmacological properties of black tea is carried out at Kolkata and other institutes across India with collaborations. The technologies developed through R&D activities is disseminated to the member gardens through a wide network of advisory personnel who conduct regular hands-on demonstrations as well as workshops.
To support the tea Industry through research, innovation, technology and training at the highest levels of excellence to bring about transformational changes to achieve the sustainable goals.
Providing technology led innovative solutions to the tea industry, ensuring production, quality and environmental sustainability while addressing the issues faced by the industry for smooth tea trade globally, taking advantage of scientific and innovative technology and emerging scopes for transformational changes and move towards self sufficiency by 2030.
