Tripura tea in doldrums

AGARTALA, February 28: Long spells of drought, low price and poor demand have hit Tripura tea industry badly. According to the Tea Association of India (TAI), the Tripura tea industry is concerned over the acute drought situation prevailing from the beginning of 2001. Lack of any rainfall affected the plantations most, especially the young plants in the garden nursery. In many gardens, young tea leaves have dried up for non-availability of rain, it said. During last year by this time of the season, there was about four inches rainfall, whereas this year till date the rainfall recorded was only 20 inches. It is estimated now that there would be a shortfall of Tripura's output by about five million kgs this year against an average production of seven million kgs of made tea. The situation would be further clear once the complete status on April 2001 crop is available to the industry. The estimated loss of crop of five million kgs is valued at Rs 5 crore, and this would be an irreparable loss to the industry, TAI said. The long drought and uneven weather coupled with fluctuations in prices in the auction market have led to an adverse overall picture of the industry, the TAI said, adding that virtually, there was no demand of Tripura tea in the auction market and prices have nose-dived sharply. Possibilities of further set back is apprehended. TAI said the Tripura tea industry is in the grip of severe financial crisis as the cost of production has increased manifold. The present estimated cost of production has gone beyond Rs 68 per kg of made tea, whereas the average price realisation in Tripura in the auction market was only Rs 44 per kg during 2000. As a result, the industry is seriously cash-starved and needs immediate help and attention of the State and Central Government. The gardens will be further handicapped due to this year's crop losses, it added.