What is the primary purpose of the Assam government's decision to include tea and plantation class landholdings in the farmers’ registry portal?

The correct answer is To enable Small Tea Growers (STGs) to obtain Farmer IDs and access government benefits In News The Assam government has formalised the inclusion of tea and plantation class landholdings in the state's farmers’ registry portal as of June 26, 2026 . Key Points Farmer ID: The inclusion allows Small Tea Growers (STGs) to obtain a Farmer ID , which acts as a unique digital identity for accessing services. Subsidies and Services: It ensures the timely and requirement-based availability of fertilisers , government scheme benefits , and other agricultural services on a single platform. Eliminating Middlemen: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that this move will help eliminate middlemen who exploit tea growers and will facilitate credit with better terms . Economic Significance: Small tea growers are a critical component of the state's economy, contributing nearly 50% of Assam’s total green leaf production . Additional Information Officially, there are 133,626 small tea growers in Assam, though the actual number is estimated to be over 1.5 lakh . The initiative is expected to directly benefit more than six lakh people , considering an average household size of four. The farmers’ registry portal links a farmer’s personal details and Aadhaar with land records to streamline access to crop insurance and subsidies. Important Points The registry integrates with land records to map ownership, allowing growers to view their records and log seasonal crop surveys online. By creating a verified database, the government can directly transfer financial aid and fertiliser subsidies to eligible farmers without leakage.