The intensified use of chemical interventions takes a toll on health of those who work in the gardens, has a bearing on the delicate flavour of the tea leaf and also on yields
Varsha , a 34-year-old tea garden worker, doesn t have a string of degrees, isn t privy to decision making in the estate but knows only too well why day to day life has become so difficult. She suffers from breathing difficulties, eczema on her hands and feet, and persistent heaviness in her chest. Despite her many struggles, she perseveres at her job of picking tea leaves.
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The tea industry s cup of woes brimmeth - scanty rainfall and pest attacks have dragged down production in May, prices are lower than last year, and demand from some export markets is muted.
Production in North Bengal - comprising the Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling - is majorly affected; parts of Assam are also hit.
Arijit Raha, secretary general, Indian Tea Association (ITA), said that the Tea Board numbers for April show a crop loss of about 9 per cent for North Bengal, compared to last year.
Even if the crop is down and there is less tea available in the market, prices in the auction for CTC and dust tea which North Bengal (sans Darjeeling) produce, are trending with a negative bias, leaving the industry worried