On the eve of a new harvest season, tea planters in Darjeeling Himalayan region are expecting bright first flush output after peak winter time dormant period. Credit goes to overall post monsoon and wintertime favorable weather condition.
On the eve of a new harvest season, tea planters in Darjeeling Himalayan region are expecting bright first flush output after peak winter time dormant period. Credit goes to overall post monsoon and wintertime favorable weather condition.
The hope comes from the fact that including foothills in Terai, Dooars as well as Darjeeling hills have witnessed spell of deep chill this winter with minimum temperature going down much below usual level at many places.
"We are expecting favorable output right at the onset of next season as overall monsoon remained more or less in our favour," said K. K. Mintri, veteran planter and Chairman Terai Indian Planters Association.
"Beside expected low temperature, we had good Sunshine too during this winter. Proper Sunshine helps bushes to have higher degree of photosynthesis and thus better growth of new buds," said Senior Planter Sujit Seal.
During peak winter in December- January, tea plantations undergo major maintenance phase with no plucking of leaves. After this, fresh batch of healthy leaf, known as 'first flush,' starts coming in heavy quantity from mid February to continue till March end. Quality wise this best quality leaf enjoys highest level of pricing. According to Indian Tea Association statistics, volume wise first flush contributes 20% to annual production, but accounts for around 35% of value. Naturally, it remains under highest attention of planters.
According to eminent tea scientists Dr. S. E. Kabeer, tea is a chill loving plant. Favorable cold temperature during winter time dormant period is highly needed for the bushes to regain positive health that helps them produce better during 'First Flush' after winter.
According to Indian meteorological Department statistics, Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim region, that hosts entire Bengal tea belt, had almost normal overall temperature profile since October. In addition, from 1st October to January first week, rain fall of 171 mm was also at almost normal level.
However, "Now we need couple of showers by the end of January," said Mintri. During end winter the water demand in plantations goes up because of budding leaves. But, since soil remains dry, meeting this demand with artificial irrigation becomes too expensive.
Hence, "Couple of drizzle is the most important now for us to have final gain out of this overall favorable weather," said Mintri.
The hope comes from the fact that including foothills in Terai, Dooars as well as Darjeeling hills have witnessed spell of deep chill this winter with minimum temperature going down much below usual level at many places.
"We are expecting favorable output right at the onset of next season as overall monsoon remained more or less in our favour," said K. K. Mintri, veteran planter and Chairman Terai Indian Planters Association.
"Beside expected low temperature, we had good Sunshine too during this winter. Proper Sunshine helps bushes to have higher degree of photosynthesis and thus better growth of new buds," said Senior Planter Sujit Seal.
During peak winter in December- January, tea plantations undergo major maintenance phase with no plucking of leaves. After this, fresh batch of healthy leaf, known as 'first flush,' starts coming in heavy quantity from mid February to continue till March end. Quality wise this best quality leaf enjoys highest level of pricing. According to Indian Tea Association statistics, volume wise first flush contributes 20% to annual production, but accounts for around 35% of value. Naturally, it remains under highest attention of planters.
According to eminent tea scientists Dr. S. E. Kabeer, tea is a chill loving plant. Favorable cold temperature during winter time dormant period is highly needed for the bushes to regain positive health that helps them produce better during 'First Flush' after winter.
According to Indian meteorological Department statistics, Sub Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim region, that hosts entire Bengal tea belt, had almost normal overall temperature profile since October. In addition, from 1st October to January first week, rain fall of 171 mm was also at almost normal level.
However, "Now we need couple of showers by the end of January," said Mintri. During end winter the water demand in plantations goes up because of budding leaves. But, since soil remains dry, meeting this demand with artificial irrigation becomes too expensive.
Hence, "Couple of drizzle is the most important now for us to have final gain out of this overall favorable weather," said Mintri.