After dry spell, rains may play spoiler for tea industry in Bengal, Assam

Scanty rain in the first fortnight of June has already caused a crop loss of 15-35% in the two states

After a dry spell, rains may impede tea productivity in North Bengal and Assam.

According to the Tea Research Association (TRA), the crop loss across Assam and North Bengal in the first fortnight of June has been drastic ranging between 15 and 35 per cent. “This is the impact of scanty rainfall,” Joydeep Phukan, secretary TRA, said.

“Now, the situation has reversed with heavy rains and no sunshine, which again is not good for the crop,” he said.

Arijit Raha, secretary general, Indian Tea Association (ITA), said, “Due to climate change factors, we are noticing a huge increase in rainfall