Continuous power cuts in the Barak Valley in Assam is hampering tea productivity in the state, thereby affecting the business of tea producers
Tea production in the Barak Valley in Assam has been adversely affected over the past one and half month due to long power cuts. The weather conditions have also not been favourable for tea cultivators in North India. As a result, the output from the region has been lower this year.
It has been estimated that in May 2010, tea output in South India increased by 2.5 million kg, while in the North Indian market the production declined to 7 million kg.
The Barak Valley, which includes three districts, namely Hailakandi, Karimganj and Cachar, are experiencing power crisis for about 18-21 hours per day. As a result, the tea producers have been left with no other option but to depend on power generators in order to continue operations. This has led to a rise in the overall production cost for the tea industry in the region.
.jpg) According to a senior official of Tea Board Regional Office in Assam, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “The issue regarding the power crisis has been put forward to the Ministry of Commerce. In the meantime, the state government along with the Central government have decided to introduce tea parks and tea ware houses in Sualkuchi in order to provide sufficient space for storing tea.”
Impact on consumers, exporters
Last month, heavy rainfall in the Brahmaputra Valley had damaged the crops in the region. As a result, there was a 20% decline in tea production in the region.
“The drop in the tea production will also affect tea exporters as there would be low availability of the commodity. Further, this may also affect the consumers as low production may push up tea prices,” says Debo Chakraborty, director of Tejaco Associates, a small-sized trader and whole seller of Assam tea in Silchar, Assam.
Therefore, it is important that the state and Central government take necessary measures to ensure that tea production in Assam’s Barak Valley is not affected.
Sabrina Mitchell |
