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Both Assam and West Bengal’s tea industry occupies an important place in the national economy. India ranks 2nd place in tea production worldwide, while West Bengal ranks first in the production of tea. In March 2021, around 25 million kgs of tea leaves were produced in West Bengal, and Assam produced around 20 million kgs. Indian tea is one of the finest because of the geographical location of tea gardens and the long-term investments.
The Assam tea industry
Assam tea industry is the oldest tea industry in India. Robert Bruce was the one who discovered the tea leaves growing in the wild in the upper valley of the Brahmaputra in 1833. After this, the British government started a tea garden in 1833 near the Lakhimpur district to export tea to Britain. When the tea from India arrived in London in 1838, the tea industry started growing up in Assam. A company was formed known as Assam, which ran the tea industry in Assam.
How has the tea industry in Assam grown?
In 1837 a site was cleared for tea cultivation by the British government, named Cha Bua (cha means tea and by means plant). During its first ten years, the tea industry didn’t grow, but in 1852 under the management of George Williamson, the tea industry started making a profit and started seeking some attention. In 1859 another tea company started, the Jorhat Tea Company, encouraging tea plantations. In 1970 a new era of the tea industry in Assam started; the Tocklai Experimental Station helped tea estates to increase their yield.
In 1838 the tea was exported, and the local area received some upliftment.
In 1911 Tocklai Experimental Station was made to increase the yield in the Jorhat city of Assam.
In 1965 all the Experimental stations and associations were centralised to improve marketing and expand tea production.
Problems faced by the Assam tea industry
During its starting years, the industry didn’t make any profit
False rumours of shortage of tea leaves in Assam and teas being exported from China.
During the first world war, the prices skyrocketed, making it difficult to buy.
After the 2nd world war, the prices crashed, making the industry unprofitable.
Lack of labour force
West Bengal tea industry
West Bengal started tea production around 120 to 150 years ago in the Douars region.
In 1940, tea gardens were made in Darjeeling to increase the tea industry in West Bengal, which currently produces around 199 million kgs of tea. Most of the small tea planters are concentrated in Jalpaiguri, Kishan Ganj, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, and the foothills of Darjeeling.
Around 30000 such small tea planters grow tea in the northern part of Bengal. Around 91 million kgs are produced in this area which is 32.5% of total tea production in West Bengal. West Bengal produces around 280 million kgs of tea.
Tea companies buy these tea leaves and convert them into processed tea.
Districts of Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, and Jalpaiguri are the highest tea producers in West Bengal. West Bengal’s contribution to the tea industry is about 26% of the nationwide production.
Problems faced by the West Bengal tea industry
Internal issues between small tea planters of Terai and Duars.
Low price of green leaves, the fair price of green leaves is absent in west Bengal.
Green leaves should be processed within 24 hours after plucking.
Lack of ownership of landowners and illegal tea gardens.
Lack of technical and marketing knowledge in tea growers.
The tea industry in India
The Indian tea industry ranks in 2nd place in tea production worldwide. 2019 was the 2nd largest tea production year; around 1339.7 million kgs of tea was produced.
The tea industry started its production during the British when the British wanted a cheaper option for tea export. China was the main exporter of tea at that time. The British officials set up tea plantations in Assam during the 1830s; after facing many problems, India became one of the largest tea exporters.
The Indian tea industry is increasing at a rate of 4.4% every year. The most financial year of the Indian tea industry was 2011-18, in which India exported around 758.92 million dollars worth of tea. Indian tea is one of the finest teas found all over the world. In the Nilgiri hills, tea is grown on a very large scale. West Bengal and Assam are the main producers of tea in India.
Problems faced by the Indian tea industry
Lack of demand in the global market
China’s domination in the black tea sector
Unorganised tea planters
Illegal exports of tea
Conclusion
India is one of the largest tea producers worldwide and ranks at 2nd number after China. Britishers started the tea industry in India to compete with Chinese tea. In Assam, India’s first tea industry was established in 1837, the largest tea industry in India. West Bengal produces the most tea in India, and its major tea comes from the fields of Darjeeling. India is also one of the largest consumers of tea. India consumes around three fourth of its total production of tea.
