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Tea is the leaf of a bush. The leaves are dried, processed and tea is manufactured. Tea is one of the most important beverage crops of the world.

Tea is used as a drink almost everywhere on the surface of the earth. Tea is obtained from the leaves of a tropical plant of the ‘camellia’ family.

Tea is native to the hill slopes of the monsoon lands of Asia. The cultivation of tea is believed to have started in the Yangtze Kiang valley of China in the 6th century. Since then it is being used by the Chinese.

The people of India and Japan have been taking tea since long. It was only in the 17th century that tea was introduced in the U.K. and other European countries. To-day tea has become a favourite drink of people of temperature latitudes.

The per capita consumption of tea is the highest in the U.K., 4-8 kg, followed by Australia and New Zealand with 3.9 and 4.2 kg respectively. India’s per capita consumption of tea is 643 grams while that of USA it is 3.2 kg.

Tea has become a universal drink. It is known for its flavour. It is a mild stimulant and refreshes mind and body.

There are two main varieties of tea plant, the Chinese and the Assamese. The Chinese variety is grown in China and Japan, whereas, Assam variety in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

On the basis of processes of production, there are three main types of tea: (a) Black (b) Green (c) Brick. Black tea is prepared in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Green tea is prepared in China, Japan and Formosa.

Brick tea is an inferior quality tea. It is prepared in China.

Conditions of Growth

There is a positive correlation between climate, the yield and quality of tea. The tea plant requires hot and wet climate. The temperature should be from 20°C to 30°C and well distributed rainfall between 200-250 cms.

The plant needs high humidity during its growth. Thus, its cultivation is most suited in the rainy, tropical and humid sub-tropical regions. The land should be gently rolling so as to prevent water logging. It is mainly a crop of hilly slopes. The soil should be alluvial or volcanic or friable loams.

High humidity, heavy dew and morning fog is very helpful for the growth of leaves. Tea is an exhausting crop. Therefore, frequent use of chemical fertilizers and manures is essential in order to keep up the fertility of the soil.

It is a labour intensive crop. Tending of plants, pruning of bushes and collection of tea leaves are laborious processes, as such, supply of cheap labour is an essential factor. Developed means of transportation, market, availability of cheap land are other important factors, which favour tea cultivation.

Regional Distribution

The monsoon lands of Asia hold the monopoly of tea production in the world. These countries produce 90 per cent of world tea. The most important tea producing countries are India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

India. India is the largest producer of tea in the world. It contributes about 30 per cent of the world output. In India tea is grown in two major regions:

(a)North-east Indian states produce 75% of tea of India. Tea is grown in estates of over 200 hectares.

(b) South India produces 20% of tea of India.

In North-east India, tea is grown in the Brahamputra valley and Surma valley of Assam state. The hilly slopes provide excellent drainage facilities. The climate is ideal for tea culture.

The soils are alluvial in character. Labour is locally available or comes from West Bengal and other adjoining states. The local forests supply wood for packing purposes. The Brahamputra river helps in easy and cheap transportation of tea to Kolkata-biggest tea market in India.

The other tea producing states of India are Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Tripura, Karnataka, H.E and U.P.

The state of West Bengal ranks second in the production of tea in India. It produces about 20 per cent of country’s tea. The Himalayan ranges of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri supply best quality tea. The output is, however, small. Tea plantations are located on slopes between 1000-1300 metres.

Tea is grown even on slopes upto 1800 metres elevation. Heavy rainfall of over 300 cms and moderate temperatures provide a special flavour to the tea leaves. A strip of broad land at the foot of the Himalayas, south of Sikkim and Bhutan, known as Duars is extensively given to tea cultivation.

Tea in South India is grown on the hilly slopes of the Nilgiri and the Anamalai mountains. The states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala contribute about 20 per cent of India’s tea production.

About 75 per cent of tea acreage lies in the states of Assam and West Bengal, 20 per cent in South Indian states and rest in other states.

State wise distribution of tea

Assam:

Tea holds a significant position in the economy of the state. It is grown as a plantation crop. The main tea producing districts are (i) Sibsagar, Lakhimpur, Darrang in upper Brahamputra valley, (ii) Nowgong Golpara and Kamrup districts in the lower Brahamputra valley. (iii) Cachar district in the Surma river valley.

In Assam, Environmental conditions are ideal for tea growth. Rainfall averages between 200-250 cm a year. Fertile alluvial soils, high humidity and high temperature favour plant growth. Maximum concentration of tea plantations is in the districts of Lakhimpur, Tezpur and Bishnath.

From July to November, there is hectic activity in the tea estates, when the tea leaves are picked and other processes are done. The Duars, a 16 km. wide strip at the foot of the Himalayas, comprising Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts of West Bengal is another major tea growing area. In the north-east India tea is grown on slopy areas for good drainage.

Here main tea areas are Mai, Chasla, Nagrakata, Kumargram etc. This region gives 16% tea to the total Indian tea production. It is die second most important tea producing state in India. Darjiling, Cooch Behar, Prulia and Jalpaiguri districts account for 25% tea production of India.

Darjiling produces best quality tea of India which is well known and demanded all over the world because of its flavour, aroma and taste. These qualities are attributed to moderate temperature, sufficient rainfall and fertile soils of the Himalayan slopes. Kangra Ranchi.

Trade:

Tea is a major item of export from India. It is exported to a large number of European and Asian countries, Russia, Australia Cc. In 1998-99 India earned Rs. 2302 crores from export of tea. Indian tea has to -compete with tea produced in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Kenya in the world market.