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Adverse weather hits State tea production

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 20 � Adverse weather condition is affecting tea production for the second consecutive year in the State and West Bengal, said the Indian Tea Association (ITA) in a statement here today.

The total deficit in tea production in Assam and West Bengal, between January and mid-March this year, is estimated by the ITA to be 5.85 million kgs, compared to the corresponding period last year, said the ITA.

It said that tea production for the second year in succession is under severe stress due to adverse weather conditions, resulting in drought-like and dry spells prevailing across most tea areas of Assam and West Bengal.

This phenomenon was visible in early 2014, resulting in Indian tea production closing with a shortfall of 15 million kgs in 2014 as compared to the previous year. The production in Assam (Brahmaputra Valley) had been severely affected with Assam production in 2014 declining by 35 million kgs below the previous year, that is 2013, said the ITA.

The rainfall records available for the period from January to mid-March 2015 reflected significant shortfall, compared to 2014, which was a rainfall deficient year, as is evident from the available data.

Between January and March, 2014, there was a 39 per cent deficit rainfall in Sonari, Jorhat, Golaghat, Nazira, Nagaon, North Lakhimpur, Borsola, Mangaldoi and Tezpur areas of Assam compared to the corresponding period of 2013.

But, this year, between January and mid-March, these areas have recorded a deficit rainfall of 50 per cent compared to 2014.

Cachar last year recorded a 54 per cent surplus rainfall during the said period, compared to 2013. But this year, it recorded 59 per cent deficit rainfall, between January and mid-March, compared to 2014, said the ITA.

It said that the present growing conditions characterized by deficient or inadequately distributed rainfall, high mean temperature and severe pest infestation would lead to significant decline in output and increase in cost of production adversely impacting turnover and operating margins.

As per estimates, production for the period January to mid-March 2015 would decline by approximately 5.85 million kgs as compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. The region-wise shortfall is estimated as � Assam (Brahmaputra) Valley 1.62 million kgs (10 per cent less), Cachar 0.59 million kgs (45 per cent less), Dooars 0.49 million kgs (4 per cent less) and Terai 3.15 million kgs (26 per cent less), said the ITA.

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