We often associate climate change with all its large-scale impacts, such as the melting glaciers and rising sea levels. But what of the simpler pleasures of life that we would be deprived of — like not being able to take a walk outside because it’s too hot or not being able to indulge in a cup of your favourite chai? 

As outlandish as this might sound, this is the reality of our world today. 

India is among the world’s largest tea producers, second only to China. And over half of the country’s tea is produced in Assam. However, the increasingly erratic weather events in the northeastern state have impacted its tea yield considerably, and experts fear that it’s only going to get worse. 

A climate vulnerability index has identified Assam as one of the most climate-vulnerable states in India. According to an IIT Guwahati study, Assam’s tea-growing areas have been witnessing long rainless spells or high-intensity downpours of short duration these last few years, resulting in waterlogging and soil erosion in tea gardens.

Between 1990-2019, the average maximum temperature in the state increased by 0.049°C annually. In this duration, the state observed an average decline of 10.77 mm in rainfall, leading to the shrinkage of the winter period. While December has almost ended, Assam is still to feel the winter chill.

The tea yield in Assam is also sensitive to spikes in monthly average temperatures, with a multi-year study (2004-2013) across 82 tea gardens in the state recording a drop in yield every time the average temperature went beyond 26.6°C.

Overall, these changes in temperature and rainfall patterns have not just affected Assam’s tea-growing seasons, but also resulted in crop loss, reduced productivity and low income. 

The price of tea sold at auctions has also shown a declining trend of 15-20% across various categories over the last decade. Small-scale tea farmers, in particular, have felt a major blow due to climate change. These consequences are well in line with the results of a 2018 survey of tea-farm workers in Assam, which had revealed that 88% of plantation managers and 97% of smallholders thought that adverse climate conditions were a definite threat to their plantations. 

However, the government has acknowledged the threats Assam’s tea production faces. The State Cabinet has even approved the Assam State Action Plan for Climate Change-II for 2021-2030 to make the state more climate resilient.

Source - https://weather.com