South India Tea Production Affected By Drought

Kochi: Severe drought conditions in most of the tea plantations in South India are estimated to decrease the production in March and April. There has been a decline in out put up to February by 1.49 million kg to 26.82 mkg from 28.32 mkg in the corresponding period last year, United Planters Association of Southern Indian (UPASI) sources told. Lack of effective summer showers and increase in temperature during noon and mist during night would decrease the crop in Nilgiri Wayanad (Gudalur). In Anamallais, there is a severe drought decreasing the output. Koppa (Chickmagalur) is also experiencing dry spell due to which the April crop will be less.
In Vandiperiyar in Kerala, extended drought and delayed pre-monsoon showers and protracted drought with 130 days of rainless days as on March-end had affected the crop and lowered the production in March and April. Another worst affect area is the high range of Kerala (Munnar) where insufficient rain and widespread severe drought is being experienced in the older tea fields. However, in Nilgiris, which has received a rainfall of 45 mm, the out put is slightly higher than that of last year. But the crop did not move up to the expected levels due to dry conditions and very low relative humidity. North Indian output has also declined by 2.33 mkg during January-February 2007 to 9.19 mg from 11.52 mkg in the same period last year due to unfavourable weather conditions.