Severe drought persisting in north India, mainly in Assam, has taken a toll on the production of tea since the onset of 2014.
The Indian Tea Association (ITA), the apex body for tea growers in north India, said that rainfall recorded in the region from January to April 20 this year, was 71 mm against the crop requirement of 310mm.
The Association said that the severe drought was resulting in recovery of the tea bushes after pruning and also delayed application of fertilisers and other growth agents required to keep pest attack at bay.
It said that this would push up the cost of irrigation and loss of crop.
