Tra Tocklai

Merry Christmas 🎄🎅

☕ Assam Tea Goes Quantum-Safe: A New Digital Dawn for India’s Agri-Exports! A major milestone for India’s agri-export ecosystem was fomalized with an agreement Centre for Development of Advanced Computing : C-DAC, Assam Startup (AISF), Government Of Assam, India, Tea Board India, and Tra Tocklai which will usher Assam Tea into a secure, tech-driven future.

This aims to build a -safe, -enabled digital infrastructure to strengthen the traceability, provenance assurance, export documentation, and data security of one of India’s most celebrated global products - Assam Tea.

The initiative marks a significant leap toward modernizing India’s tea industry, reinforcing the as a hub of technology-led agricultural . The agreement signing witnessed the esteemed presence of Dr. Ravi Kota, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, who highlighted the transformative potential of emerging technologies in empowering the tea sector. Also present was Shri. Jitesh Choudhary, Centre Head, C-DAC Centre in the North East, whose insights helped shape this forward-looking partnership.

What this initiative delivers:
🍃End-to-end digital traceability from plantations to global markets
🍃Trusted verification of origin and quality
🍃Secure, immutable export records
🍃Global-standard data protection
🍃 A tamper-proof, transparent compliance ecosystem for the tea industry

With this partnership, C-DAC continues to drive digital transformation across critical sectors, setting a benchmark for integrating deep-tech innovation into agriculture, supply chains, and export governance. This collaborative ecosystem is expected to boost global trust in Assam Tea, enhance export competitiveness, and create a secure and efficient digital value chain benefiting producers, traders, and consumers alike.

A new chapter begins, where tradition meets technology, and India’s iconic tea industry steps confidently into the future.

Advancing Safe Crop Protection

On the 31st October Tea Research Association (TRA Tocklai) met with major pesticide manufacturers to kick off data-generation plans under our new NTRF-funded project at Tea Research Association (TRA) Kolkata

What this project will do:

• Generate regulatory-grade data for ~30 next-gen crop protection molecules.

• Support registrations with CIBRC (Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee) and FSSAI.

• Prioritize promising chemistries for tea and allied crops — e.g., Isopyrazam — with robust residue, efficacy, and safety dossiers.

• Build a shared trial network and capacity-building for consistent, globally aligned study protocols.

Our thanks:

A heartfelt thank-you to NTRF President, Mr.Prabhat Bezboruah , and NTRF Secretary, Mr. S Soundararajan, for their support in funding this critical data-generation effort. Your encouragement enables faster science-to-policy translation for growers and the tea industry.

What’s next:

• Finalize molecule and site lists, SOPs, and GLP/GEP alignment
• Launch coordinated residue magnitude & efficacy trials this season
• Engage with regulators and industry to ensure MRL-ready datasets

Together, we’re accelerating science-based approvals, food safety, and export competitiveness for Indian tea.

Department of Commerce, GoI CMO Assam Tea Board India

We are pleased to announce that the Tea Research Association (TRA Tocklai) Kolkata, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Minor Use Foundation (MUF), USA on 31st October 2025, marking a significant step toward advancing international cooperation in pesticide management studies for the establishment of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in tea and other crops.

This collaboration aims to:

Identify and address common pest management challenges across geographies.

Conduct joint research and capacity-building workshops on pesticide residue studies.

Facilitate data generation and regulatory harmonization to support safe and sustainable tea production.

Promote global knowledge exchange on crop protection and scientific best practices.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Joydeep Phukan (Secretary & Principal Officer TRA) and Dr. Venkatesan Selvaraj (Director, TRA), and on behalf of MUF by Ms. Anna Applefield Gore (Executive Director) and Dr. Sasireka Rajendran (Global Operations Manager) in the presence of Mr Suneel Singh Sikand Chairman TRA and Mr S Soundararajan Director of Tea Board Of India.

This MOU signifies TRA’s continuing commitment to building international research linkages that ensure science-based safety standards, protect grower interests, and strengthen India’s position in the global tea trade.

Here’s to a new chapter of collaborative innovation and global stewardship in tea research! 🍃



Department of Commerce, GoI CMO Assam Tea Board India

The Council of Management of TRA expresses its deep condolences to the family on the passing away of Dr Madan Prasad Sinha former senior scientist and Advisory Officer of TRA.

Prayers for the eternal peace of his soul 🙏

The Council of Management, Tea Research Association (TRA) expresses deep sorrow at the sudden and untimely passing of Mr. Sanjay Bagchi, Secretary of the Surma Valley Branch of the Indian Tea Association, Cachar, on 21st October.

Mr. Bagchi had earlier served in the Terai and Dooars regions of North Bengal, where he made significant contributions to the growth and development of the tea industry.

The Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prays for the eternal peace of the departed soul 🙏

Diwali Greetings to all. May the coming year be a good year for all. 🪔 🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔

Congratulations to Mr I B Ubhadia Chairman of TRA Cachar Tripura Sub Committee on featuring in TEDx recently held at Assam (Central) University.

He has been helping TRA R&D efforts in Cachar and Tripura in a big way.

https://youtu.be/GG9p7vJKRqE?si=PBpSYfbpIYmlzQd0

CMO Assam Department of Commerce, GoI Tea Board India

Tea Talks: Lessons from the Northeast's Leaves | IB Ubhadia | TEDxAssam University When I.B. Ubhadia took over as Manager of Roskandy Tea Garden, the estate was facing a crisis—poor productivity, weak morale, disorganised operations, and fi...

🎙️ Presenting Episode 2 of our podcast series “Tea Time”

In this episode, we delve into one of the most talked-about subjects shaping the future of agriculture — Carbon Trading Prospects for the Tea Industry. 🌱♻️

Dr. Venkat Selvaraj, Director of the Tea Research Association (TRA), engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Dr. Rupanjali Deb Baruah Senior Climate Scientist at TRA, exploring how carbon trading mechanisms can open up new sustainability pathways for the tea sector.

🎧 Tune in to this informative discussion on TRA’s official YouTube channel:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jFVs60gE2U



Department of Commerce, GoI CMO Assam Tea Board India

Episode2 - Carbon Trading Prospects for the Tea Industry This episode explores the prospects of carbon trading in the tea industry and its potential to drive sustainability. We discuss how carbon markets can create...

🍃 Announcing “Tea Time” — TRA Tocklai’s New Podcast Series 🍃

We’re thrilled to launch Tea Time, a podcast series by TRA Tocklai (Tea Research Association), where we’ll explore the most pressing challenges, innovations, and trends shaping the tea industry today.

🎙️ Episode 1: “Plant Protection Issues — Disruptions in Tea Plantations”

Our inaugural episode shines a spotlight on plant health, pest pressures, and disease management — a critical area creating major disruption across tea gardens. From emerging pests to evolving resistance and climate-linked threats, we dig into what’s keeping planters, scientists, and agronomists awake at night.

📺 Watch the first segment now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w27hPMBPaew&t=10s

🎧 The audio podcast will soon be available on — Apple Podcasts, Spotify.



Department of Commerce, GoI CMO Assam Tea Board India

Tea Time With TRA Tocklai Episode 1 – Fusarium Tea Time with TRA Tocklai is a talk show that addresses the most challenging issues concerning tea planters and enthusiasts. The first episode focuses on Fus...

Tea Research Association (TRA Tocklai) extends its warmest congratulations to Shri Rajesh Agrawal IAS on taking over as the Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce Government of India.

Your distinguished leadership and vast experience in governance will play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s trade and commerce.

On behalf of the tea fraternity, we wish you all the very best in your new role and look forward to your guidance in advancing India’s commerce and industry.



Department of Commerce, GoI CMO Assam Tea Board India

We at the Tea Research Association, Tocklai Tea Research Institute express our deepest sorrow on the untimely passing of Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s greatest cultural icons and a voice that carried the spirit of our land to the world.

Zubeen’s music transcended boundaries, weaving together the rich heritage of Assam with universal melodies of love, hope, and resilience. His soulful voice became a companion to generations, bringing comfort in times of sorrow and joy in moments of celebration.

Today, Assam and the entire nation mourn the loss of a legend whose art will forever remain etched in our hearts. His melodies will continue to inspire, reminding us of the power of music to unite, heal, and uplift humanity.

On behalf of the entire Tea Research Association and Tocklai family, we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and countless admirers.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his music live on as a timeless tribute to the beauty of life.

Tea Research Association
Tocklai Tea Research Institute