Soaring temperature and erratic pattern of rain, particularly in tea-growing areas of Assam, have hit the industry hard this year. The fall in yield could see a big hike in tea prices in the coming days. It has already pushed ahead the reaping time this year; and the overall tea production in Assam this year may reduce drastically if the prevailing weather condition continues.
The weather has already affected the first flush this year, which accounts for around 10 per cent of total tea yield. The production of the second flush of tea, which is a foreign exchange earner due to its premium quality, too is not very encouraging. The second flush production is going on at present but the total quantity is yet to be ascertained.
The increase in temperature and the lack of rain have also damaged tea plants in the State that produces more than half of the country’s total tea yield.
According to the statistics of the meteorological department, Assam has received only 64 mm rainfall till April this year compared to 196 mm last year, indicating a departure of 67 per cent from the normal rainfall.
“After a draught-like situation affected the gardens here, rains came in but it is not sufficient. We are still receiving insufficient rainfall. While some tea-growing pockets have received some rainfall, there are some pockets which are yet to receive the
required rainfall,” said Chairman of North Eastern Tea Association (NETA) Bidyananda Barkakoty.“The production figures now — at the end of May —are also behind that of last year. The production figures of April this year indicate at least 40 per cent decrease,” he said, adding that lack of proper irrigation scheme has also worsened the situation for the growers.
“While the big gardens have irrigation facilities, the small and medium growers cannot afford to have any irrigation facilities as it is very costly. The small and medium growers contribute at least 60 per cent to the State’s total production,” he said, adding that it is going to affect the overall production this year.
Experts at the Tea Research Centre at Tocklai said that the plantation in Assam has witnessed this kind of heat after 25 years and that many tea estates have to suspend plucking as there is no leaf.It may be mentioned here that Assam produces more than half of the country’s total tea production. last year the state had produced about 620 million kgs of tea.