Assam tea industry urged to step up production
Assam tea industry is under pressure to increase output despite two decades of rising production costs and erratic weather conditions of recent years. The Assam Branch of Indian Tea Association urged growers in Assam to maximize yields as the local industry grapples with rising input costs, which have eroded returns on investment. In recent years, the region also experienced high temperatures, uneven scattered rainfall and pest attacks, which have lead to some of the crop losses that need to be recouped. A solution to reach production targets that is already adopted by some growers is the mechanized plucking of leaves.