Tea Board of India will soon start crop insurance for small tea growers (stgs). The board is in talks with insurance companies for initiating the scheme. There are over 80,000 small tea growers in Assam. Deputy Director of Tea development Tea Board told ET, " We are in talks with insurance companies for the crop insurance scheme for the small tea growers. A portion of premium amount will be paid by the government and growers." Chairman of North Eastern Tea association (NETA), Bidyananda Barkakoty said, " The government must cover the small growers under the crop insurance.Tea as crop is dependent on weather and other climatic condition." He added that the price of tea of small tea growers dependent upon finished products manufactured by tea factories. " The loss of production due to climatic condition is beyond the control of the small growers. There is a need for insurance scheme for production related risks and price volatility."