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The tea produced from the gardens in the rolling hills of Terai and Dooars, known for its fruity and floral notes with occasional briskness, is facing a crisis. The impact is subtle yet noticeable when visiting the lush green tea gardens of West Bengal.

Adverse weather conditions present a significant challenge to the tea industry. Though many look forward to a steaming cup of tea at the beginning and end of the day, the brew that cheers but does not inebriate is suffering due to nature’s unpredictability. The tea industry in north Bengal is particularly affected. Once a cornerstone of the region’s thriving economy, especially during the era of the undivided Soviet Union market, the industry is not as profitable as it used to be.

Uncertainty looms over the tea gardens of Terai and Dooars. Production has halved, threatening the viability of these gardens. The region has experienced a prolonged dry spell since October of last year. Poor rainfall distribution has exacerbated the situation. The market has offered lower prices for the produce from these gardens, leaving the tea industry in a precarious position.

The core issue lies in the inadequacy of irrigation facilities in the tea gardens, which has significantly contributed to the ongoing crisis. The lush greenery of tea gardens is at the mercy of erratic rainfall. It’s time for garden owners and companies to address the challenges posed by nature. Irrigating the tea gardens is essential for the industry. Relying solely on natural rainfall jeopardizes the fertility and prosperity of the gardens. While irrigation facilities do exist, they are often insufficient to water the entire garden effectively, as the effort cannot cover the entire area in a single day.

As a result, one section of the garden receives moisture while another dries up, rendering the effort ineffective. Significant investment is required to irrigate an entire garden, which contributes to the reluctance of garden management to invest in adequate irrigation equipment. Ignoring the prospect of long-term benefits in favor of short-term savings has led to the current crisis, especially when weather conditions are unfavorable.

Decision-makers in the industry must realize that maintaining optimal soil moisture levels is crucial for the overall health and productivity of tea bushes. Only a robust irrigation system can ensure this. Such a system can also reduce dependency on rainfall. Withholding irrigation facilities is a short-sighted cost-saving measure.

Addressing the present challenges will ensure that tea garden management can rest easy, regardless of irregular and scanty rainfall. To resolve the tea crisis, gardens must be irrigated throughout their entirety.