Career in Tea Management

What: Tea is one of the most refreshing and popular beverages of the world. India being the world’s largest producer, exporter and consumer of tea, there is wide scope for careers in this field. Though not a very well-known career option, jobs in this area can be interesting.  There are a variety of jobs one can specialize in a tea industry. The jobs put together are known as tea management. Tea tasting is one of the highly specialized areas of work. Other areas are that of researchers, plantation managers, tea brokers, consultants etc.

Work in the Tea industry includes plant work, processing, auctioning, branding, marketing and research.

In India, best tea growing areas are Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiris. Several varieties of tea can be grown in one garden. As tea is a seasonal plant, the same leaves from the same bush, plucked in different seasons, have different bouquets. Each of these varieties requires different ways of handling.

Trainees get, on an average, Rs. 5,000 while senior professionals draw Rs. 25,000 per month and specialized professionals can earn in the range of 40,000- 50,000 per month.

How: There is an array of jobs one can specialize in this field. It includes jobs from highly specialized field like tea tasting to subject-areas for researchers, plantation managers, tea brokers, consultants etc. The tea industry involves tasks like plantation, processing, auctioning, branding, marketing and research with respect to tea and its better ways of marketing. Although computers are now used for blending varieties of tea, a tea taster’s judgment is still considered the ultimate analysis for determining the quality of tea. In India, the best of tea is grown in areas like Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiris. Of late, tea management has also surfaced as an important career option for aspirants with a love for tea management and greenery.

Even though anybody who has a basic educational background can get into tea industry, and pick up the skills required on the job, a degree in Agricultural Science or a B.Sc. in Botany, Food Sciences, Horticulture or allied fields is preferred these days.

One must be knowledgeable about the tea market and be alert to varying market factors concerning tea industry. He/she should possess a reasonable knowledge about the topography and geographical location of the tea estate.

Where:  Tea gardens are controlled by Managers who have junior assistants and Assistant Managers, depending on the size and requirement of the garden, to assist them in the smooth functioning of the tea estate. Their work involves supervision of all plantation work involved from planting to plucking, processing to packing and transport of tea to auction houses. New entrants are taken on as Assistants at the plantation level. Experience is the deciding factor in the appointment of a manager. It is a long wait as it usually takes twelve to fifteen years. The Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bangalore offers a training programme on the supporting subject under the Indian Commodity economy.

Institutions: (see below)