Assam tea is best renowned for its second flush (the period when the tea plants begin to sprout new leaves to be plucked), which occurs in May-June and is distinguished by its boldness and strength, as well as traditional flavours of malt and woody astringency. It is prized for its rich flavour and vivid liquors, and it is regarded as one of the world’s finest teas. Assam tea planters claim that the pure second flush flavour is vanishing. After water, tea is the world’s second most popular beverage.
We frequently connect climate change with its large-scale consequences, such as melting glaciers and increasing sea levels. But what about the smaller joys of life, like not being able to go for a stroll outside because it’s too hot, or not being able to have a cup of your favourite chai? As absurd as it may sound, this is the reality of our world today.
According to a climate sensitivity index, Assam is one of India’s most susceptible states. According to an IIT Guwahati research, Assam’s tea-growing districts have been experiencing protracted rainless spells or short-duration high-intensity downpours in recent years, resulting in waterlogging and soil degradation in tea gardens.
The average maximum temperature of the state increased by 0.049°C each year between 1990 and 2019. During this time, the state had an average decrease in rainfall of 10.77 mm, resulting in a shortening of the winter season. Even though December is almost over, Assam is still feeling the winter chill.
Tea output in Assam is likewise vulnerable to monthly average temperature increases, with a multi-year research (2004-2013) spanning 82 tea estates in the state revealing a reduction in yield if the average temperature exceeded 26.6°C.
Overall, variations in temperature and rainfall patterns have not only impacted Assam’s tea-growing seasons, but have also resulted in crop loss, lower productivity, and lower revenue.
Over the previous decade, the price of tea sold at auction has likewise fallen by 15-20% across all categories. Climate change has wreaked havoc on small-scale tea farmers in particular. These findings are consistent with the findings of a 2018 poll of tea-farm employees in Assam, which found that 88% of plantation managers and 97% of smallholders believed that severe climate conditions posed a serious danger to their farms.
The government, on the other hand, has acknowledged the dangers to Assam’s tea output. The Assam State Cabinet has even adopted the Assam State Action Plan for Climate Change-II for the years 2021-2030 in order to make the state more climate resilient.
Climate change is anticipated to reduce not just tea quality, but also tea output, due to increasing soil erosion, pests, and diseases that are growing more resistant.
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