Darjeeling, known as the ‘Champagne of tea’, is suffering from a four-month-long drought affecting the production of tea plucked in season (first flush) from March and April. The importance of the first flush is that it accounts for about 15-20 per cent of the total crop in Darjeeling and accounts for 35-40 per cent of the annual income. About 60-65 percent of it is exported. But dry weather is taking a toll on the delicate and flowering world’s finest tea crop.
The last good rains were in early October and by the end of February there was a deficit of about an inch. Senior Principal Scientist of the Tea Research Association of Darjeeling Consultancy Center S. Sannigrahi said, “If there is no rain till March 15, there could be a loss of 40-50 per cent in the first flush.
Even if it rains in the next few days, the shortfall is unlikely to be made up. “The aftermath of any rain will be felt only after a fortnight,” Sannigrahi said. In this case there will be loss of crop. If the first flush is affected, it will affect the second flush as well.
Indian Tea Exporters Association Chairman Anshuman Kanodia said that the first tea leaves of the season are airlifted by importers to different countries so that it can be served on the table at the earliest. Preparation for shipping by sea usually starts in April.
Kanodia said that till now the challenge is visible in the first flush in terms of crop and quality, so it is difficult to decide on it. “Plantations in low-lying areas are already affected. But we have not reached a point where it cannot be saved in some parts of the district.
Irregular rainfall is not new to Darjeeling but it recorded the lowest rainfall in two decades last year. But among tea growing regions right now, it is a climatically difficult place. The situation is better in the Dooars, about 100 km from Darjeeling in north Bengal, while upper Assam is also relatively better at the moment.
Vikram Singh Gulia, Managing Director, Amalgamated Plantations Pvt Ltd said, “The Dooars and Assam had received some rains in the month of February which will help in early harvest by mid-March. However, if there is no rain in March and April, then the crop from March end to May will be adversely affected.
Arijit Raha, general secretary of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), also said that delayed rains could lead to drought-like conditions, which, if prolonged, would adversely affect crops in all regions of northern India.
North India mainly consists of West Bengal and Assam which accounts for about 83 per cent of the total tea production. The crop condition in Upper Assam is considered to be very good. Himanshu Shah, chairman, MK Shah Exports, said, “The situation in upper Assam is very good. The rainfall so far in 2023 was more than last year. He said, ‘There is a slight shortage in North Bank, Golaghat, Jorhat. But so far there is no concern about the crop.
However, he added that things could change in the coming times if there is an effect of El Nino and the rains are less. Dry weather conditions have affected production in South India. In some areas of south India like Munnar, about 550-600 hectares were affected by the cold snap in the month of February, said Sanjit R Nair, secretary of the United Planters Association (UPASI).
“Therefore, we are anticipating a 20-25 per cent decline in the crop. The Nilgiri region will also see 20-22 per cent less crop due to dry weather. Overall, there will be less crop in south India in the first quarter as compared to last year.
