With the chill lingering in the atmosphere in Assam and other parts of the northeast, planters are hopeful of a good harvest of Assam tea this season.
Although it is difficult to make a prediction about the expected volume of production at this moment, the prevailing cold weather is likely to have a positive impact this season.
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“We are hopeful this time. There is slight change in weather pattern. Earlier, it used to be difficult to get rain after October. However, this time we have received some rains even after October.
“In December also, we have received some amount of rainfall, which led to the prevailing chill in the weather,” said Bidyananda Barkakoty, Adviser of the North Eastern Tea Association (NETA).
He said that the industry in Assam had been affected in the last few years due to climate change. “In last few years, there was no rain after the month of October which had affected Assam tea production,” he said adding given the favourable weather condition the planters are hopeful of a good harvest this year.
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“The gardens with irrigation facility expect the first flush of Assam tea between March to April. It is however, little delayed for those without irrigation facility. The rains we received in October and December last year is likely to have positive impact on the production this time,” he added.
“So far, the weather is good. We have had about one to two inches of rain spread out to all areas even last week, which is good. The season came to an early closure last year and it should start early as well this year,” said an industry expert and a renowned tea taster on condition of anonymity.