Introduction and Significance

Tea is one of India's most iconic and economically vital plantation crops, with a legacy deeply intertwined with the country's history and culture. India is one of the largest producers and consumers of tea in the world. Its cultivation is geographically concentrated in specific regions, primarily Assam and the Darjeeling district of West Bengal in the northeast, and the Nilgiri Hills in the south (Tamil Nadu and Kerala). The tea industry is a massive employer, providing livelihoods to millions of workers, particularly women, in remote rural areas. It is also a major earner of foreign exchange through the export of world-renowned varieties like Assam CTC and Darjeeling orthodox tea. As a beverage, it is an integral part of daily life across India, cherished for its stimulating properties.

The Indian tea industry, including small and large growers, is grappling with a combination of systemic and agronomic issues. A paramount challenge is the rising cost of production, driven by increasing labor wages, which constitute a major share of operational costs, and higher input costs. This is compounded by stagnant or fluctuating auction prices, which squeeze the profitability of tea estates. Climate change is manifesting as erratic rainfall patterns and increased pest attacks (like the tea mosquito bug and red spider mite), affecting both the quantity and quality of the leaf. Many tea bushes in India are old and need replanting, a capital-intensive process that many gardens cannot afford. Furthermore, the industry faces stiff competition in the global market from other tea-producing countries, making it a constant struggle to maintain market share and profitability.