The Hindu Business Line : Untimely rains worry S. India tea planters

The industry, which has been complaining of inadequate rainfall in the plantation belt over the past three years, has expressed anxiety about crop growth due to the incessant rains in the last four days. "The month of May is generally considered the best growth period. Untimely showers can play havoc on the crop growth potential. We have now lost four growth days," plantation sources told Business Line.

South India recorded a production of 25 million kg of tea in May last. Industry circles expect it to dip by 10 per cent during the corresponding period this year if the wet spelled continues. "But if the sun comes out, we are likely to have a good crop and bounce back to the levels achieved last year," the planter said.

The industry has also voiced apprehension about the infestation of the Red Spider Mite on tea. The incidence of the mite had caused enough worry last year. Though there has been no trace of the mite infestation this far, planters have not ruled out an influx as the weather is said to be conducive.

A glance at the tea production figures released by the United Planters' Association of Southern India shows that the yield during the first three months of the current calendar year took a beating. It fell to 32,031 tonnes from 37,348 tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year.

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