DIBRUGARH, Sept 1 - The tea industry, which wrestled through the pandemic-induced lockdown beginning of this season and was later hit hard by torrential rains and subsequent floods, has been pushed towards stress again over non-supply of urea, an essential fertilizer to the plantation industry.
Serious concerns have been raised over growing stress due to the natural calamities in the tea industry and the non-supply of urea is only aggravating the situation as the urea fertilizer, which is vital in providing nitrogen to the plants for its growth, is either unavailable or inadequate.
Bharatiya Chah Parishad (BCP), a planters� body has raised its concerns through a representation to the authorities concerned. The planters� body through its representation has made an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Fertilizers, Ministry of Commerce, Tea Board of India, Kolkata and Guwahati offices for immediate release of urea on a priority basis to meet the demands of the industry to prevent further irreparable loss.
The planters� body stated that due to the pandemic situation and the added damages caused by heavy rains and subsequent deluge during June-July period, the tea industry witnessed decline in production. Quoting reliable industry sources, BCP pointed out that tea production in eastern and north eastern India up to July is estimated to have a shortfall of 150 million kilograms of tea production compared to last year. Tea crop is suffering and is now very badly hit by non-supply of urea, stated the planters� body.
Expressing concern over the issue, Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) here said that gardens had not used fertilizers since June last due to shortfall in the supply of the required fertilizer. �Luxmi Tea Company Private Limited is facing a shortfall of 486.94 metric tons of urea while Andrew Yule & Company Limited is facing a shortfall of 387 metric tons.
Similarly, among several other tea companies, Apeejay Tea Limited is also in need of 355 metric tons of urea and M K Shah Exports Limited requires 934 metric tons of urea. Due to non-application of urea fertilizer, tea crops will be affected and this will adversely impact production,� said Madhurjya Barooah, secretary, ABITA, Zone 1.
The shortfall in the supply of urea has not only affected the tea industry in the organised sector but also several thousands of small tea growers across the State, added Barooah.
DIBRUGARH, Sept 1 - The tea industry, which wrestled through the pandemic-induced lockdown beginning of this season and was later hit hard by torrential rains and subsequent floods, has been pushed towards stress again over non-supply of urea, an essential fertilizer to the plantation industry.
Serious concerns have been raised over growing stress due to the natural calamities in the tea industry and the non-supply of urea is only aggravating the situation as the urea fertilizer, which is vital in providing nitrogen to the plants for its growth, is either unavailable or inadequate.
Bharatiya Chah Parishad (BCP), a planters� body has raised its concerns through a representation to the authorities concerned. The planters� body through its representation has made an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Fertilizers, Ministry of Commerce, Tea Board of India, Kolkata and Guwahati offices for immediate release of urea on a priority basis to meet the demands of the industry to prevent further irreparable loss.
The planters� body stated that due to the pandemic situation and the added damages caused by heavy rains and subsequent deluge during June-July period, the tea industry witnessed decline in production. Quoting reliable industry sources, BCP pointed out that tea production in eastern and north eastern India up to July is estimated to have a shortfall of 150 million kilograms of tea production compared to last year. Tea crop is suffering and is now very badly hit by non-supply of urea, stated the planters� body.
Expressing concern over the issue, Assam Branch Indian Tea Association (ABITA) here said that gardens had not used fertilizers since June last due to shortfall in the supply of the required fertilizer. �Luxmi Tea Company Private Limited is facing a shortfall of 486.94 metric tons of urea while Andrew Yule & Company Limited is facing a shortfall of 387 metric tons.
Similarly, among several other tea companies, Apeejay Tea Limited is also in need of 355 metric tons of urea and M K Shah Exports Limited requires 934 metric tons of urea. Due to non-application of urea fertilizer, tea crops will be affected and this will adversely impact production,� said Madhurjya Barooah, secretary, ABITA, Zone 1.
The shortfall in the supply of urea has not only affected the tea industry in the organised sector but also several thousands of small tea growers across the State, added Barooah.
