Silchar Barak Valley Tea Assam Cachar

Silchar in the Cachar district of Assam is the commercial centre of the Barak valley tea growing region of southern Assam, producing orthodox and CTC tea varieties with a lighter character compared to the malty Brahmaputra valley teas of Upper Assam. Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karimganj districts produce tea in the hilly terrain between the Barak river valley and the Mizoram-Manipur border ranges. Tea gardens in Barak valley are smaller on average than Brahmaputra valley estates. Small grower societies supply green leaf to cooperative bought-leaf factories. Silchar is also a major commercial hub for Barak valley agricultural produce including oranges from Hailakandi, bamboo shoot pickle, and areca nut. Silchar has a majority Bengali-speaking population distinct from the Assamese-speaking Brahmaputra valley, creating a bilingual administrative and commercial environment. The Silchar cooperative credit federation supports both agricultural and small business lending in the region.