Assam has seen a 4% decline in its tea production this year, due to the result of changing climate conditions. According to statistics from the Tea Board of India. The tea gardens in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley have reported a decrease in production. The statistics reveal that from January to October this year, Assam produced 577 million tons of tea. When compared to 589.27 million tons in the same period last year, this represents a drop of 21.7 million tons. Bidyananda Barkakoty, who is an adviser in the North East Tea […]
Tea Production In Assam Declines By 4% Due To Climate Change
Assam has seen a 4% decline in its tea production this year, due to the result of changing climate conditions.
According to statistics from the Tea Board of India. The tea gardens in Assam’s Brahmaputra Valley have reported a decrease in production. The statistics reveal that from January to October this year, Assam produced 577 million tons of tea. When compared to 589.27 million tons in the same period last year, this represents a drop of 21.7 million tons.
Bidyananda Barkakoty, who is an adviser in the North East Tea Association (NETA), which represents tea planters and producers, expressed concern about this decline. He explained that the decrease began early in the year and although there was a slight improvement mid-year. The production started to drop again towards the end. Whereas Assam’s tea season typically runs from March to December.
Barkakoty attributed the decline to climate change, in the production of Assam’s tea. Tea is a weather-dependent crop, with factors like rainfall, temperature, and humidity playing a crucial role in its production. He also said that changes in rainfall patterns and a rise in minimum temperatures have affected the crop in recent years. For this reason, these issues can worse more in the near future.
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Assam accounts for over 52% of India’s total tea production. There are more than 800 tea gardens, including many small growers, contributing significantly. Whereas several small tea growers are the ones who are responsible for around 53% of Assam’s total tea production.
Rajesh Kumar Dutta, the secretary of the Small Tea Growers’ Association, also pointed out that the increasing temperatures in Assam, particularly during summer, have been detrimental to tea bushes. He explained that the ideal summer temperature for tea cultivation should not exceed 30°C. He further pointed out that in the recent years; the minimum temperature has risen above 40°C. Additionally, this deficit in rainfall has further stressed the tea-growing areas.
Weather data from the Regional Meteorological Department confirms these trends, showing a decrease in rainfall in Assam and other north-eastern states. From June to August this year, Assam experienced a 7% rainfall deficit, while Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura saw deficits of 14% and 8%, respectively.
Barkakoty said that there is a need to take up steps to mitigate the impact of climate change in tea industry. Although experts advise to adopt mitigation measures, these were neither implemented nor executed properly across the state. They also said that there is still lack of awareness among the tea growers about the mitigation measures.
In conclusion, climate change is increasingly affecting Assam’s tea production, and urgent steps are needed to protect this vital industry.
