The Hindu Business Line : S. India tea output hit by drought

There has been a decline in production up to February by 1.49 million kg to 26.82 mkg from 28.32 mkg in the corresponding period last year, United Planters Association of Southern Indian (UPASI) sources told Business Line on Tuesday.

There would be a substantial drop and if the current conditions prevailed for another month, the loss might be more in May, they claimed.

Lack of effective summer showers and increase in temperature during noon and mist during night would bring down the crop in Nilgiri Wayanad (Gudalur).

In Anamallais, there is a severe drought pushing down the output. Koppa (Chickmagalur) is also experiencing dry spell due to which the April crop would be less.

In Vandiperiyar in Kerala, they said, extended drought and delayed pre-monsoon showers and protracted drought with 130 days of rainless days as on March-end had affected the crop and lowered the output in March and April.

Another worst affect area is the high range of Kerala (Munnar) where insufficient rain and widespread severe drought is being experienced in the older tea fields. Casualty of infills and mature bushes has occurred.

However, in Nilgiris, which has received a rainfall of 45 mm, the production was slightly higher than that of last year.

But the crop did not move up to the expected levels due to dry conditions and very low relative humidity. This area would have a crop same as of last year, the sources said.

North Indian production has also dropped by 2.33 mkg during January-February 2007 to 9.19 mg from 11.52 mkg in the same period last year due to unfavourable weather conditions.

They said that the total loss in terms of value and quantity in South Indian plantations was being worked out.

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