N Bengal tea production hit by dry spell

Tea production in North Bengal this year so far had been hit by the continuing dry spell causing loss in crop both in Dooars and Darjeeling, according to industry experts. "Tea production in north Bengal has been hit by the absolutely dry heat wave which is causing severe crop loss in Dooars", former India Tea Association chairman and managing director and chief executive officer of Goodricke A N Singh said. Singh said the situation was even worse in Darjeeling.

"Darjeeling is even worse. Only 15 per cent production has been recorded in March as compared to that of same month last year", he said. He added that till mid-April crop loss in Darjeeling was close to 40-50% lower than that of last year.