Tea of Assam
The hundreds of lush green tea-gardens nestling in the Himalayan foothills of Assam have not
only added charm to the states natural beauty but also forms the backbone of its economy. They
are the lifeline without which the state would have remained impoverished, undeveloped and
economically at its lowest rung. Today tea industry of Assam constitutes its largest industry,
providing livelihood, revenue, employment and development.
Tea was first discovered in China and then in Japan. Its origin in India dates back to 1823 when
an Englishman named Robert Bruce discovered tea plants in the forests of Assam. Later Charles
Alexander, Robert Bruce’s brother started the first tea garden in Assam. In 1828, for the first
time Assam tea was sent to England. It was liked by the Britishers and in no time it became very
popular in England.
This encouraged the East India Company to start commercial cultivation of tea on a large scale.
In 1835, the East India Company established its first tea garden in the state. Later in 1844 this
garden was sold to Assam Tea Company which had been formed in 1839. Since then the number
of tea gardens have increased by leaps and bounds. Today, there are over 900 tea gardens in
Assam. These gardens are mosdy found in the districts of Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Magaon, Sibsagar,
Sonitpur, and Darrang.
The cultivation of tea depends upon following conditions. They are: (i) The soil should be fertile
and well- drained (ii) It requires a warm and moist climate throughout the year (iii) The
temperature should be 14° C to 27° C (iv) The annual rainfall should be around 150 cm to 250
cm. Frequent showers well distributed over the year is ideal. All these conditions are found in
Assam particularly in the Himalayan foothills of the state.
Tea can be classified into three classes, namely, fermented or Black tea, unfermented or Green
tea, defermented or Oolong tea. The stages and the manner of processing are common for all the
three. First, the tender leaves are plucked and then heated for about 18-24 hours after which they
are rolled down by machines which make them into small grains. They are then exposed to sun
for about 30-40 minutes and then packed and sent for marketing.
Assam contributes 15.6% of world’s tea production and 55% of India’s tea output. It is the
largest industry of the state, providing employment to thousands of people in the state. It is
estimated that 12.5% of the total population depends on this industry for their livelihood. Tea
industry brings in a great deal of revenue to the state exchequer by way of taxes, excise and road
levy. The industry has been instrumental in the development of ancillary industries such as,
plywood, aluminium, fertilizer, pesticides, communication and transport, warehouse industries,
etc.
Tea gardens prevent soil erosion, add green cover to the state, lower down humidity and
temperature and bring about rain and cool climate in the state. Currently the industry is on a
downswing due to bottlenecks such as, militancy, financial crunch, decline in yield per hectare,
lack of irrigational facilities, flooding of tea gardens, increased cost of production, fall in the
price of tea, stiff international competition, high taxation by the Govt., etc.
Tea industry of Assam is in the grip of severe crisis mainly due to the threat of militancy and
financial bottlenecks. Unless and until these two key problems are adequately settled the
downward sliding of the industry would reach such a point that its return to normalcy would be
impossible. The onus of putting the industry back to its rails squarely lies with the state
government. But unfortunately signs of remedial steps or quick relief measures are yet to loom in
the horizon.
Tea is used as a drink almost everywhere on the surface of the earth. Tea is obtained from the
leaves of a tropical plant of the 'camellia' family.
Tea is native to the hill slopes of the monsoon lands of Asia. The cultivation of tea is believed to
have started in the Yangtze Kiang valley of China in the 6th century. Since then it is being used
by the Chinese.
The people of India and Japan have been taking tea since long. It was only in the 17th century
that tea was introduced in the U.K. and other European countries. To-day tea has become a
favourite drink of people of temperature latitudes.
The per capita consumption of tea is the highest in the U.K., 4-8 kg, followed by Australia and
New Zealand with 3.9 and 4.2 kg respectively. India's per capita consumption of tea is 643 grams
while that of USA it is 3.2 kg.
Tea has become a universal drink. It is known for its flavour. It is a mild stimulant and refreshes
mind and body.
There are two main varieties of tea plant, the Chinese and the Assamese. The Chinese variety is
grown in China and Japan, whereas, Assam variety in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
On the basis of processes of production, there are three main types of tea: (a) Black (b) Green (c)
Brick. Black tea is prepared in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Green tea is prepared in China, Japan and Formosa.
Brick tea is an inferior quality tea. It is prepared in China.
Conditions of Growth
There is a positive correlation between climate, the yield and quality of tea. The tea plant
requires hot and wet climate. The temperature should be from 20°C to 30°C and well distributed
rainfall between 200-250 cms.
The plant needs high humidity during its growth. Thus, its cultivation is most suited in the rainy,
tropical and humid sub-tropical regions. The land should be gently rolling so as to prevent water
logging. It is mainly a crop of hilly slopes. The soil should be alluvial or volcanic or friable
loams.
High humidity, heavy dew and morning fog is very helpful for the growth of leaves. Tea is an
exhausting crop. Therefore, frequent use of chemical fertilizers and manures is essential in order
to keep up the fertility of the soil.
It is a labour intensive crop. Tending of plants, pruning of bushes and collection of tea leaves are
laborious processes, as such, supply of cheap labour is an essential factor. Developed means of
transportation, market, availability of cheap land are other important factors, which favour tea
cultivation.
Regional Distribution
The monsoon lands of Asia hold the monopoly of tea production in the world. These countries
produce 90 per cent of world tea. The most important tea producing countries are India, China,
Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
India. India is the largest producer of tea in the world. It contributes about 30 per cent of the
world output. In India tea is grown in two major regions:
(a)North-east Indian states produce 75% of tea of India. Tea is grown in estates of over 200
hectares.
(b) South India produces 20% of tea of India.
In North-east India, tea is grown in the Brahamputra valley and Surma valley of Assam state.
The hilly slopes provide excellent drainage facilities. The climate is ideal for tea culture.
The soils are alluvial in character. Labour is locally available or comes from West Bengal and
other adjoining states. The local forests supply wood for packing purposes. The Brahamputra
river helps in easy and cheap transportation of tea to Kolkata-biggest tea market in India.
The other tea producing states of India are Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Tripura, Karnataka, H.E and
U.P.
The state of West Bengal ranks second in the production of tea in India. It produces about 20 per
cent of country's tea. The Himalayan ranges of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri supply best quality tea.
The output is, however, small. Tea plantations are located on slopes between 1000-1300 metres.
Tea is grown even on slopes upto 1800 metres elevation. Heavy rainfall of over 300 cms and
moderate temperatures provide a special flavour to the tea leaves. A strip of broad land at the
foot of the Himalayas, south of Sikkim and Bhutan, known as Duars is extensively given to tea
cultivation.
Tea in South India is grown on the hilly slopes of the Nilgiri and the Anamalai mountains. The
states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala contribute about 20 per cent of India's tea
production.
About 75 per cent of tea acreage lies in the states of Assam and West Bengal, 20 per cent in
South Indian states and rest in other states.
State wise distribution of tea
Assam:
Tea holds a significant position in the economy of the state. It is grown as a plantation crop. The
main tea producing districts are (i) Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Darrang in upper Brahamputra valley,
(ii) Nowgong Golpara and Kamrup districts in the lower Brahamputra valley. (iii) Cachar district
in the Surma river valley.
In Assam, Environmental conditions are ideal for tea growth. Rainfall averages between 200-250
cm a year. Fertile alluvial soils, high humidity and high temperature favour plant growth.
Maximum concentration of tea plantations is in the districts of Lakhimpur, Tezpur and Bishnath.
From July to November, there is hectic activity in the tea estates, when the tea leaves are picked
and other processes are done. The Duars, a 16 km. wide strip at the foot of the Himalayas,
comprising Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal is another major tea growing
area. In the north-east India tea is grown on slopy areas for good drainage.
Here main tea areas are Mai, Chasla, Nagrakata, Kumargram etc. This region gives 16% tea to
the total Indian tea production. It is die second most important tea producing state in India.
Darjiling, Cooch Behar, Prulia and Jalpaiguri districts account for 25% tea production of India.
Darjiling produces best quality tea of India which is well known and demanded all over the
world because of its flavour, aroma and taste. These qualities are attributed to moderate
temperature, sufficient rainfall and fertile soils of the Himalayan slopes. Kangra Ranchi.
Trade:
Tea is a major item of export from India. It is exported to a large number of European and Asian
countries, Russia, Australia Cc. In 1998-99 India earned Rs. 2302 crores from export of tea.
Indian tea has to -compete with tea produced in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Kenya in the world
market.
