India is the leading producer of tea in the world. Tea plantations were started by the British for their own benefit. Now Indians are the owners of these plantations. About 10 lakh persons are engaged in Tea farming directly and same number of persons get employment indirectly. It is labour- intensive industry.
(а) Geographical conditions: The following geographical, conditions are suitable for cultivation of tea:
- Abundant rainfall (150 cms) is necessary for the growth of tea plants.
- Tea requires high temperature. An average temperature of 20°C to 30°C is suitable for its proper growth.
- The relative humidity should be high.
- The water should not stagnate in the roots of the plant.-Therefore tea is mostly grown on the hilly slopes.
- Tea requires fertile soil.
- Cheap labour is very essential for tea plantation as the picking of leaves requires human labour.
(b) Tea producing states: Assam is the biggest producer of tea in India. West Bengal is the second largest producer of tea in India. Tea is grown in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Nilgiri hills. Tea is also grown in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, U.P., Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.
(c) Production: In 1950-51, tea estates covered an area of 3,14,000 hectares. In 2000-01 the area under tea estates raised to 4,00,000 hectares. In 1950-51 total production of tea was .2,75,000 tonnes. In 2011-12, it rose to 8,00,000 tonnes. It amounts to one half of the world production.
(d) Trade: In 2010-11, India exported 2.03 lakh tonnes of tea valued at Rs 1976 crores. Sri Lanka is a competitor of India as regards exports of tea. Kenya is a new tea-exporter. Tea consumption is increasing in India. So tea export is decreasing.
