Assessing and Prioritising Constraints of Small Tea Growers: Evidence from Idukki and Wayanad Districts in Kerala, India

Abstract

Aims: To identify and rank the major constraints faced by small tea growers (STGs) in Kerala. Study Design:  Field survey was conducted and the STGs were individually made to rank the constraints. The Garrett ranking method was used to find out which problems were most important to the STGs in both districts. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the principal tea-growing blocks of Idukki and Wayanad districts in Kerala, between June and August 2025. Methodology: A purposive sampling approach was adopted to select key tea growing blocks and panchayats, from which 200 STGs were randomly chosen. Primary data were collected through a pre-tested structured interview schedule focusing on constraints in tea cultivation and marketing. Respondents ranked each constraint, and the Garrett ranking technique was applied to quantify and prioritise the challenges identified in each district. Results: Price volatility was found to be the most critical constraint in Idukki, while labour shortage ranked highest in Wayanad. In Idukki, STGs also reported high wage rates and limited institutional support as significant challenges, whereas in Wayanad, respondents reported climate change and pest and disease incidence as major concerns. Statistical analysis revealed that the severity and nature of constraints differed significantly between the two regions, influencing decisions of STGs to diversify crops and income sources. Conclusion: The study found that in Idukki, price volatility was the main problem for STGs, along with lack of institutional support and high wage rate. In Wayanad, the biggest issue was a lack of labour, followed by climatic and pest and disease concerns, while stable prices from organic certification made market problems less severe. These challenges led many STGs to switch to other crops or non-farm work. The results show the need for strategies like improvement in market intelligence through price forecasting to help tea growers in Kerala overcome these key problems.