Dry spell takes a toll on March tea production

Output fell 35-50% in North India in the month from year-ago period

- ISHITA AYAN DUTT

Changing weather, marked by a dry spell and sporadic rainfall, and low soil temperatures affected tea production in various parts of India in March.

Empirical data shows a 35-50 per cent decline in the March crop in North India compared to the previous year, said Hemant Bangur, chairman of the Indian Tea Association (ITA). 

Tea Research Association (TRA) estimates a 35-40 per cent decline in the crop in North Bengal in February and March. "Upper Assam is about 40 per cent down. In the rest of Assam, the shortage is around 20-25 per cent," said Joydeep Phukan, secretary of TRA. Full data for March is not fully available, but the crop in North India is expected to improve in April, he said.

The crop in South India too is affected by dry weather conditions. "Except for some localised drizzle, there have been practically no rains in the last two-three months. The agro-climatic conditions were not favourable for the crop in March. The April crop is also expected to be affected due to a drought-like situation," said Sanjith R Nair, secretary of The United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI). Crop in March 2023 was low too.

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