Despite apprehension of doomed post winter output of tea, Northern West Bengal’s green beverage arena had quite favourable yield in the season popularly known as ‘first flush’ period.
Despite apprehension of doomed post winter output of tea, Northern West Bengal’s green beverage arena had quite favourable yield in the season popularly known as ‘first flush’ period. With prevailing favorable weather, planters are expecting bright ‘second flush’ too after usual dormancy period during end of April.
“Though the expectation was not bright, first flush gave us highly positive output in entire foothills. Credit goes to favourable post winter weather condition,” said K. K. Mintry, veteran planter and Chairman Terai Indian Planters Association. Terai and Dooars region in Bengal foothills hosts around 380 organized tea gardens and over 20,000 small plantations. All put together produce around 270 million kg. per annum, around 25% of national yield.
“Scenario of entire NE region including Assam or Darjeeling hills remained good,” said P. K. Bhattacharya, Secretary General of Tea Association of India.
After maintenance period with no plucking during peak winter, fresh batch of healthy leaf, known as ‘first flush,’ starts coming from end February that continues till mid April. This season remains under highest attention of planters as it produces best quality and highest priced leaf.
Following positive first flush, “Now we are expecting good second flush if rainfall and overall weather remains in our side,” said Bhattacharya. Beginning in April end, second flush continues till June end.
“Going by the trend, we can definitely expect good rainfall,” said a senior Meteorological Department(MeD) official. As per MeD record, Sikkim and Sub Himalayan West Bengal had 160mm rainfall during 1st March to 25th April against long term average of 155mm for the period. Temperature also remained within favourable level for tea at below 30 degree.
According to eminent tea scientist Dr. S. E. Kabeer, high atmospheric temperature at this season causes rapid proliferation of harmful pests and thus hampers output.
However, “Beside weather factor, the final output in second flush will largely depend on how better a plantation can maintain its bushes during the ongoing ‘Banjhi’ period or post first flush low yield duration of around two weeks,” said Mintri.
“This maintenance is highly needed for the bushes to get relieved out of stress of high volume first flush output. Well planned and meticulous bush management is very important,” said Bhattacharya.
“Though the expectation was not bright, first flush gave us highly positive output in entire foothills. Credit goes to favourable post winter weather condition,” said K. K. Mintry, veteran planter and Chairman Terai Indian Planters Association. Terai and Dooars region in Bengal foothills hosts around 380 organized tea gardens and over 20,000 small plantations. All put together produce around 270 million kg. per annum, around 25% of national yield.
“Scenario of entire NE region including Assam or Darjeeling hills remained good,” said P. K. Bhattacharya, Secretary General of Tea Association of India.
After maintenance period with no plucking during peak winter, fresh batch of healthy leaf, known as ‘first flush,’ starts coming from end February that continues till mid April. This season remains under highest attention of planters as it produces best quality and highest priced leaf.
Following positive first flush, “Now we are expecting good second flush if rainfall and overall weather remains in our side,” said Bhattacharya. Beginning in April end, second flush continues till June end.
“Going by the trend, we can definitely expect good rainfall,” said a senior Meteorological Department(MeD) official. As per MeD record, Sikkim and Sub Himalayan West Bengal had 160mm rainfall during 1st March to 25th April against long term average of 155mm for the period. Temperature also remained within favourable level for tea at below 30 degree.
According to eminent tea scientist Dr. S. E. Kabeer, high atmospheric temperature at this season causes rapid proliferation of harmful pests and thus hampers output.
However, “Beside weather factor, the final output in second flush will largely depend on how better a plantation can maintain its bushes during the ongoing ‘Banjhi’ period or post first flush low yield duration of around two weeks,” said Mintri.
“This maintenance is highly needed for the bushes to get relieved out of stress of high volume first flush output. Well planned and meticulous bush management is very important,” said Bhattacharya.