Climate Change Threatens India’s Tea Industry

• 26 Nov 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Assam’s tea-growing regions are facing prolonged heat, delayed rainfall, and persistent humidity even after October, threatening the livelihoods of over 12 lakh workers in Assam, and jeopardising the future of India’s tea economy. 

How Climate Change is Threatening India's Tea Industry? 

• Rising Temperatures & Extreme Heat: This directly stresses tea plants, leading to blackened leaves, wilting, and erratic flush cycles. Crucially, extreme heat hampers tea plants’ ability to absorb nutrients, weakening the bushes. 
• Erratic Rainfall:  Dry spells and declining winter rains are directly reducing soil moisture undermining the core of tea cultivation. Conversely, intense downpours lead to soil erosion and waterlogging rather than effective absorption.  
• Altered Suitability of Growing Regions: The cumulative effect of rising heat and erratic rain is a fundamental geographical shift.  
  • Assam’s prime regions like South Bank and Upper Assam may lose suitability, pushing tea cultivation toward higher altitudes such as Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. 
• Compounding Economic Paradox: Tea prices have grown only 4.8% annually over 30 years—well below inflation and staples like wheat and rice (10%)—while production costs keep rising.  
  • This cruel paradox leaves growers unable to earn market gains or invest in climate-resilient practices and replant ageing bushes. 
• Absence of Adequate Climate Protection Policies: Unlike other staple crop farmers, tea growers receive minimal government support for drought or heatwaves, leaving the industry exposed to increasingly severe climate shocks.

What are the Key Facts Regarding India's Tea Industry? 

• About: Tea is a widely consumed beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant and is the world’s second most consumed drink after water. 
• Growth Requirements:  
  • Temperature: A narrow annual range of 13°C to 28°C, with optimal growth occurring at a mean temperature of 23–25°C. 
  • Rainfall: Consistent and well-distributed rainfall averaging 1,500 to 2,500 mm per year to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. 
    • Distinct and predictable seasons are crucial for regulating the plant's growth cycles, including the vital "flush" periods when new leaves are harvested.  
      • This precision is also key to developing the signature flavour and aroma of premium teas. 
  • Soil: Deep, friable (easily crumbled), and rich in organic matter. 
• Tea Board of India: The Tea Board of India, established under the Tea Act of 1953, is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce that provides financial and technical support for tea cultivation, production, and marketing.  
  • It is headquartered in Kolkata with overseas offices in London, Dubai, and Moscow. 
• India’s Tea Market:  
  • Major Producers: India is the 2nd largest producer and consumer of tea and the 3rd largest exporter. Kenya leads in exports, while China is the 2nd largest exporter. 
  • Tea Producing Regions: Key tea-growing states—Assam (Assam Valley, Cachar), West Bengal (Dooars, Terai, Darjeeling), Tamil Nadu, and Kerala—account for about 96% of India’s total production. 
  • Consumption: India consumes 80% of its tea domestically, with a per capita consumption of 840 gm/year. 
  • Exports: India exports tea to 25+ countries, including Russia, Iran, UAE, USA, UK, Germany, and China. About 96% of exports is black tea, alongside regular, green, herbal, masala, and lemon tea. 

How can India’s Tea Industry Become More Resilient to Climate Change? 

• Agricultural and On-Farm Adaptations: Promote resilient tea varieties with deep taproots and high yields, while improving soil and water management through mulching, cover crops, micro-irrigation, and rainwater harvesting.  
  • Adopt agroforestry with shade trees and companion crops to reduce heat stress, moderate soil temperature, and control pests. 
• Economic and Market Solutions: Expand sustainable certification programs like the ‘trustea’ Sustainable Tea Code to verify practices, enhance market access, and strengthen climate resilience.  
  • Promote direct-to-consumer trade (e.g., e-commerce integration) models to increase growers’ profit margins by bypassing traditional auctions. 
• Policy and Structural Support: Advocate for policy support that gives tea parity with other crops, including disaster relief and subsidies, while ensuring sustained research funding for climate-resilient cultivation.  
  • Strengthen capacity building by training small growers in sustainable practices and modern technologies. 
• Learning from Other Countries: Equipping farmers with skills for sustainable, high-quality tea is crucial. Kenya’s Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) uses Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) to provide hands-on training in planting, fine-plucking, and preparing for certification. 

Conclusion 

Assam’s tea industry faces unprecedented threats from climate change, pest attacks, and stagnant prices, jeopardising livelihoods of over 12 lakh workers. Strengthening resilient cultivation, sustainable practices, and policy support is essential to safeguard tea production, global competitiveness, and the economic backbone of Assam, ensuring a sustainable future for India’s $10 billion tea economy.

Drishti Mains Question: 

Climate change is posing an existential threat to India's tea economy. Analyse the key environmental challenges and discuss the framework of a sustainable adaptation strategy for the sector.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What is the optimal climate for tea cultivation in Assam?
Tea thrives at mean temperatures of 23–25º C, annual rainfall of 1,500–2,500 mm, and slightly acidic soils (pH 4.5–5.5) for optimal growth and premium flavour. 

Q. What is the 'trustea' programme? 
It is the India Sustainable Tea Code, a multi-stakeholder initiative that verifies sustainable practices among small growers to build climate resilience across the supply chain. 

Q. Which Indian state is the largest producer of tea? 
Assam is the largest tea-producing state in India, contributing over half of the country's total production. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The Tea Board is a statutory body. 
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 
3. The Tea Board's Head Office is situated in Bengaluru. 
4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow. 

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

(a) 1 and 3 

(b) 2 and 4 

(c) 3 and 4 

(d) 1 and 4 

Ans: (d)

---

Mains

Q. Whereas the British planters had developed tea gardens all along the Shivaliks and LesserHimalayasfrom Assam to Himachal Pradesh, in effect they did not succeed beyond the Darjeeling area. Explain. (2014)