Unveiling Assam’s Organic Tea Revolution: The Inspiring and Heroic Journey of Tenzing Bodosa
Tenzing Bodosa: Pioneering Organic Tea Farming in Assam
Tenzing Bodosa, from Kachibari village in Assam’s Udalguri district, is celebrated as the state’s first organic tea farmer, igniting a revolution in organic tea farming across North-East India. His farms, spanning 250 bighas in the Bodoland Territorial Region, are uniquely recognized as the first elephant-friendly farms globally.
Tenzing’s journey is marked by resilience. At ten, he lost seven family members to the violence of the Bodoland Movement, prompting his mother to send him to Guwahati for safety. Despite his youth, he worked various jobs for survival before returning home in 2006. His initial tea plantation faced an environmental hurdle when tube well water pollution harmed local fish, leading him to adopt organic farming inspired by ancestral methods.
Without local expertise, Tenzing turned to Canadian NGOs, including Greenpeace, for guidance. His unfenced farm allows elephants from Bhutan to move freely, with bamboo and bananas planted for their sustenance. He believes in growing food for wildlife, coexisting harmoniously with nature.
Recognized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and certified by Elephant Origins Tea as elephant-friendly, Tenzing’s organic farming spans 17 years. He produces high-quality, chemical-free tea using natural fertilizers from neem leaves, cow dung, and poultry manure, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance.
Tenzing’s influence is global; he has trained approximately 200,000 tea farmers worldwide in organic techniques. His farm employs around 30 permanent staff and hires 50-80 seasonal workers. For 15 years, his tea has reached 18 international markets, including Canada, the UK, and Germany, while domestically available across Delhi, Gujarat, and North-East India.
Advocating against pesticides, Tenzing highlights their environmental and health impacts, promoting organic farming as a sustainable alternative. He proposes small-scale trading hubs and training facilities to empower local businesses, fostering economic resilience.
His farm attracts international tourists, blending tea culture and wildlife conservation, promoting ecological sustainability and a deeper connection with nature.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/lifestyle/story/assams-pioneer-in-organic-tea-farming-the-inspiring-journey-of-tenzing-bodosa-1064231-2024-08-04?utm_source=rssfeed
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