The tea industry in Assam is apprehensive of losing 10-15% of the crop during March and April due to drought-like situations and hailstorms. "The industry had lost around 140 million kg of tea last year because of lockdown and inclement weather. We were hopeful of a fresh start this year but prospects look bleak because of the drought-like situation in Bengal and Assam," said Prabir Bhattacharjee, general secretary of Tea Association of India. In January and February this year, Assam harvested only 0.23 million kg compared to 0.27 million kg in 2020 and 0.44 million kg the year before. "While the crop figure for March is yet to be released by the Tea Board, the figure is expected to be lower by 10-15% in March and April 2021 as compared to 2019," Bhattacharjee said, adding that tea bushes needed rainfall during summer so that production of tea leaves remained steady till the arrival of monsoon. Assam received paltry rainfall in March and April, directly affecting its yield. Assam valley has received only 14.2 mm of rainfall during January and February as against 28.47 mm in 2020. Similarly, Cachar has received only 4.15 mm rainfall as against 8.3 mm last year during the same period. "Unless there is an improvement in weather, we apprehend that the production will be less by 10-15%. Altogether, the situation appears to be grim," Bhattacharjee said. About 10.5% of Assam's total tea production - which was 618.35 million kg last year - is recorded during March and April. The state produces about 4.5% of its total crop in March and around 6% in April, which is about 32 million kg and 44 million kg, respectively. Source - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com