Assam farmer builds tea processing rig from kitchen appliances

Guwahati: Ratan Ray, a 51-year-old farmer from Choibari, Hindupara, has engineered a DIY solution for the tea industry. He built a machine using an old pressure cooker and a mixer-grinder motor. The contraption uses custom metal blades to crush, tear, and curl tea leaves into pellets. This mimics the standard CTC manufacturing process. It cuts out the need for expensive factory equipment.

Ray has spent 25 years in tea cultivation. He knows the financial squeeze small growers face. His device speeds up production by replacing manual rolling. Ray claims the final product has distinct advantages for local drinkers. "The tea produced using his machine has a stronger flavour and brews faster," Ray said.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Dhubri documented the invention. They are now sharing the design through agricultural extension work. This method shows potential for processing spices and herbs as well. Whether the rig is scalable remains a question. Experts must still test its safety, output capacity, and long-term operating costs.