Climate frowns on tea cultivation

Climate frowns on tea cultivation

12 March 2012

SILIGURI, 12 MARCH: Dry weather and temperature fluctuations in the Hills, the Terai, and the Dooars are threatening north Bengal's tea industry.
The tea planters fear that if this weather continues for even a few more days, the spring's first flush production, which is the premium crop, will be adversely affected.
"Tea plantations need heavy shower for at least two days right now," said a Dooars tea plantation manager, Mr Rajesh Kumar Rungta. "If the present climate condition continues the premium production will reduce to 2-3 per cent."
Siliguri Tea Board deputy director K K Bhattacharya said this kind of damage to the premium crop could impact the tea price. “Sprinkle irrigation can save only plantations: it cannot save the crop and its quality," he said.
Also, irrigation increases costs for planters, said Mr Ranjit Datta, secretary of the Tea Association of India's north Bengal branch. "The tea plantations are under tremendous pest attack due to lack of rain. In order to save the tea plants some planters have started irrigation," Mr Datta said.
“Planters are bearing additional production cost for irrigation," he said. "Planters who do not have irrigation system are facing problem to manage the situation." Unfavourable weather conditions have affected the tea industry in north Bengal since 1999. Planters are now depending on the good will of the rain god ~ they have so far failed to reach out to him directly. “How can we appeal to the god for a heavy shower to overcome the prevailing weather condition?" asked a planter. sns