If you visit Jorhat and travel towards Titabar, your journey will take you along the historic Gar Ali road. The bus often stops near Tocklai, named after the gentle river nearby. Here stands the iconic Chameli Memsaab Bungalow, a colonial-era landmark made famous as the filming location for the Assamese movie “Chameli Memsaab.” This scenic retreat draws many visitors each year. Even more significant to the area is the Tocklai Tea Research Institute, home to the Tea Research Association. Founded in 1911, Tocklai is known as the world’s oldest and largest tea research centre. For more than a century, it has led the way in tea research and new developments, making Jorhat a global hub for Assam Tea innovation and guidance.
How It All Began
The story starts in 1900. Dr Harold H. Mann joined as Chief Scientific Officer of the Indian Tea Association. He worked in a laboratory in Calcutta first. His impressive work caught the attention of tea planters and agency houses. They sought additional research for the benefit of the tea industry.
Dr Mann prepared a project in 1902. He suggested an experimental station in the central tea districts. Jorhat was the perfect choice. It was well connected by rail and river. The site was provided by Jorehaut Tea Company Ltd.
On September 25, 1911, Tocklai Experimental Station opened its doors. The governments of Assam and Bengal funded it. The tea industry also contributed. A laboratory and two bungalows were built first. The station was named after the rivulet Tocklai that flows nearby.
In 1964, the Tea Research Association (TRA) was formed. It took over Tocklai’s management. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) funded it until 1996. After that, the Ministry of Commerce stepped in through the Tea Board. In 2014, the station was renamed Tocklai Tea Research Institute.
Tea Clones That Changed Everything
Tocklai released its first tea clone in 1949. This clone was called TV1 (Tocklai Vegetative 1). It revolutionised Assam’s tea gardens. The clone produced excellent CTC tea with consistent quality. Most tea farms in Assam still use TV1 today.
Over the decades, Tocklai has released 211 clones. These include 31 TV clones and 153 garden series clones. Additionally, 27 clones were released exclusively for the Darjeeling hills. The institute has also released 14 seed varieties. All these developments help tea planters grow better tea.
In 2014, Tocklai released TTRI-1 and TTRI-2. These were the first two clones released after 8 years. TTRI-1 is drought-tolerant with high yield potential. It is perfect for CTC tea manufacture. TTRI-2 works well for orthodox tea. It can yield over 3,500 kg per hectare.
In 2018, Tocklai released TSS 1 (Tocklai Seed Stock 1). This was the first hybrid seed in the 21st century. It combined TV13 and TV17 clones. The hybrid offers good quality and better yield. Seeds have taproots that go deep into the soil. This helps during drought when rainfall is scarce.
Tocklai continues to develop drought-resistant clones. TV34 and TV35 were released in recent years. TV34 is an Assam-China hybrid. It tolerates drought better than older clones. TV35 is good for both CTC and orthodox tea. These new clones can produce 3,000 kg per hectare. The current average is only 2,100 kg per hectare.
Research That Matters
Tocklai has eight main research departments. These include botany, soil, agronomy, engineering, and biochemistry. The institute also has departments for tea tasting, plant protection, statistics, manufacturing technology, and agricultural economics.
The Analytical Services department is NABL-accredited. It follows ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. The labs test soils, fertilisers, and pesticides. They analyse heavy metals and pesticide residues. Results are sent promptly to tea estates. This helps them carry out operations on time.
Tocklai has world-class equipment. These include LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and AAS machines. Qualified chemists operate these machines. They follow a Quality Management System for accurate results.
The institute focuses on sustainable tea production. Research covers organic farming and integrated pest management. Soil conservation is another priority. These efforts help tea gardens adapt to climate change.
Supporting Tea Growers Everywhere
Tocklai oversees 1,100 large tea estates. These estates cover over 341,049 hectares of land. The institute also supports over 200,000 small tea growers. It does this through 10 advisory branches across Northeast India.
These branches provide training and workshops. They teach disease management and clone selection. Soil health programs are also conducted. Extension services disseminate best practices to planters. Hands-on demonstrations help growers learn new techniques.
The advisory network covers South Bank, North Bank, and Upper Assam. It also reaches Cachar, Tripura, Dooars, Darjeeling, and Terai. Tocklai has a regional R&D centre at Nagrakata in West Bengal.
Tea Museum and Factory Tour
Visitors can explore Tocklai’s tea museum. The museum displays photographs and vintage equipment. It showcases the rich heritage of tea cultivation. Artefacts tell stories of Assam’s tea journey.
A model tea factory operates at the centre. Visitors can see miniature tea machinery in action. The entire manufacturing process is demonstrated. From plucking to packaging, every step is shown. This gives visitors insight into how leaves become tea.
The Institute is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry is free or requires a small admission fee. Guided tours provide information about research innovations. A visit takes about 2-3 hours. The Institute is located on Club Road in Jorhat.
Innovations and Collaborations
In 2022, Tocklai launched the TRA-TOCKLAI GAP-GMP Standard. This standard promotes Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. All TRA member estates can get certified under this standard.
In 2025, Tocklai partnered with Assam University. This collaboration aims to boost tea industry research. Joint projects focus on climate-resilient tea production as well as the development of advanced soil monitoring.
Tocklai has submitted over 10,200 Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) to NCBI. These include data on drought, herbivory, and blister blight. Genetic diversity studies have been conducted on 123 tea varieties. Such research helps develop better disease resistance.
The institute also partners with Boomitra for sustainable farming. This partnership supports carbon sequestration in tea gardens. It helps tea estates earn carbon credits.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Tocklai has faced financial challenges in recent years. The tea industry currently funds 64% of its budget. The remaining comes from government support through the Tea Board. Reduced contributions have delayed employee benefits. Oftentimes, this has led to disruption in critical innovations in the tea sector.
The Union Ministry has assured financial relief. Plans are underway to waive laboratory upgrade requirements. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from companies like Hindustan Unilever may provide support. The goal is to make Tocklai financially stable again.
Despite challenges, Tocklai remains committed to excellence. The institute continues to release new clones. It develops technologies for better tea quality. Extension services reach more small growers every year.
Tocklai’s Vision 2030 focuses on key goals. These include in-situ conservation of tea germplasm. Improved pest control through Integrated Pest Management is another priority. The institute is introducing VAM (Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza) technology for nurseries.
A Legacy That Inspires
Tocklai has contributed to tea research for 114 years. Its work has shaped the tea industry worldwide. Other tea research institutes took their foundation from Tocklai. The centre’s innovations have become global standards.
The institute’s pioneering spirit lives on. It released annual pruning techniques that changed farming. Clonal propagation and tissue culture became mainstream because of Tocklai. Pest control measures developed here protect tea gardens everywhere.
Tocklai’s conservation efforts preserve tea diversity. The institute maintains the largest tea germplasm collection in the world. This genetic bank safeguards the future of tea cultivation.
Where Science Meets Tradition
Tocklai Tea Research Institute is more than a laboratory. It is where science meets the soul of tea. Every cup we drink carries the wisdom of this institute. From drought-resistant clones to quality standards, Tocklai’s fingerprints are everywhere.
The Institute reminds us that progress takes patience. Research requires dedication spanning decades. Each breakthrough builds on years of careful study. The tea plant teaches us to grow slowly and root deeply.
As climate change threatens agriculture, Tocklai stands firm. Its research offers hope for sustainable farming. The institute shows that tradition and innovation can walk together. Tea gardens thrive when science nurtures nature.
In the loop of the Tocklai rivulet, something timeless flows. It is the spirit of inquiry and the love for tea. This spirit has flowed for over a century. It will continue to flow, nourishing generations of tea drinkers. Tocklai’s legacy is not just about tea. It is about honouring the land, the plant, and the people who care for both.
Source: Internet
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