Published on 18 Feb 2025
Tea is a tropical and sub-tropical plant and grows well in hot and humid climates. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. India was the second-largest producer of tea after China, and the largest consumer of said beverage, using nearly 30% of the world’s tea output.
Characteristics of Tea Cultivation in India
Diverse Terrain: Tea is grown across varied landscapes, from the plains of Assam to the hilly terrains of Darjeeling and Nilgiri.
Smallholder Dominance: The majority of tea cultivation is undertaken by smallholder farmers, often with limited resources.
Year-Round Cultivation: Due to India's diverse climate, tea can be cultivated throughout the year in different regions.
Labor-Intensive Process: Tea cultivation and processing are labor-intensive, employing a significant workforce.
Focus on Quality: There's a strong emphasis on producing high-quality tea, catering to both domestic and international markets.
Major tea-growing states: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the northeastern states contribute significantly to India's overall tea output.
Vast cultivation areas: Tea is cultivated across a vast expanse of land, benefiting from diverse climatic conditions.
Global leader: India is one of the world's largest tea producers and exporters, supplying tea to numerous countries.
Challenges faced by tea cultivation in India
Low and fluctuating prices: Tea prices have remained stagnant while input costs have risen, squeezing profit margins.
Labor shortages: The industry faces a shortage of skilled labor, particularly in tea plucking.
Pests and diseases: Tea gardens are susceptible to various pests and diseases, affecting yield and quality.
Example: The tea bushes have been severely affected by blister blight, leading to substantial crop losses.
Climate change: Changing weather patterns impact tea production, with effects like altered rainfall and temperature.
Soil erosion and degradation: Unsustainable cultivation practices can lead to soil erosion and loss of fertility.
Competition: Increasing competition from other tea-producing nations.
Example: The increasing popularity of Kenyan black tea in the international market has posed a significant challenge for Indian tea exports.
Smallholder challenges: Smallholders often face financial constraints, lack of technology, and market access issues.
Example: Tea farmers in western ghats often face difficulties in accessing credit and market linkages, limiting their growth potential.
Measures and government initiatives to improve tea cultivation in India
Tea Board of India: The Tea Board has implemented schemes like the Small Tea Growers’ Development Agency (STGDA) to support smallholders with credit, training, and infrastructure.
Price Stabilization Fund: The Indian government has announced plans to create a tea buffer stock to stabilize prices, similar to the coffee buffer stock.
Skill Development: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with the Tea Board to provide skill training to tea workers.
Pesticide and Fertilizer Subsidies: The government offers subsidies on fertilizers and pesticides under various agricultural schemes, which indirectly benefit tea farmers.
Climate Smart Tea Gardens: The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture includes components to address climate change impacts on crops, including tea.
Soil Conservation Schemes: The Soil Conservation Department in various states implements programs like the Integrated Watershed Management Program to address soil erosion.
Value Addition Promotion: The Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides subsidies and incentives for setting up food processing units, including tea processing.
Smallholder Development Programs: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) offers credit and other support to smallholder farmers.
Research and Development Funding: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) funds research on tea improvement and cultivation practices.
Geographical Indications (GI) Tagging: Darjeeling tea and Assam tea have already obtained GI tags, protecting their reputation and premium prices.
Geography
TEA CULTIVATION
Characteristics of Tea Cultivation in India
Challenges faced by tea cultivation in India
Measures and government initiatives to improve tea cultivation in India
tea board
General Studies Paper 1
Resources Distribution
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