Impact of climate changes on the sustainability of tea plantations

Uddhab Sarmah

(ucsarmah@gmail.com)

Adverse effects of climate change are noticeable during the last few years in the growing pattern of flushes of tea bushes of the tea industry. Earlier, the upper Assam areas of tea gardens never used irrigation systems due to habitual receipt of rainfall well distributed over the season. Now, a different scenario is being experienced, either with too much rainfall causing floods in odd times of the season or too dry to sustain the growth of tea bushes for continued drought, resulting in a lack of moisture for the growth of tea bushes for throwing flushes as estimated with expectations.

The tea industry has to face this major onslaught of challenges and how best the sustainability can be restored.

The problems with the young planted areas where maximum clones are preferred to seed stock or jats are noticed to suffer mostly because of the shallow root systems, unlike the seed stock, which can sustain better because of the tap root systems, the length of which has been noticed to be more than over one metre and more at some places, drawing moisture and nutrients from the subsoil or down below.

The longevity of the seed-planted tea bushes can thrive for more than a hundred years if properly maintained, but clonal populations are noticed to have a very short longevity period. The tea planters are using clonal plants for quantity as well as quality but on a short-term basis of calculations.

Under the circumstances, it needs to be a big concern for all the stakeholders of the tea industry how best the sustainability of the industry can be suggested to follow up a concrete strategy to ensure both crop and quality and revitalise the 200-year-old tea industry!

The tea industry in Upper Assam, particularly, is facing significant sustainability challenges due to climate change, particularly irregular rainfall, droughts, and increased dependence on clonal plants with shallow root systems. To address these issues, a multi-pronged strategy should be adopted, focusing on both short-term mitigation and long-term adaptation.

1. Climate-Resilient Cultivation Practices:

• Reintroducing Seed Stocks: While clones offer better quality and yield in the short term, a hybrid approach incorporating resilient seed stocks with deep taproots can improve longevity and drought resistance.

• Soil Moisture Conservation: Mulching, cover cropping, and organic matter incorporation can help retain soil moisture and reduce dependence on irrigation.

• Agroforestry Integration: Planting shade trees, windbreaks, and companion crops can help moderate temperature fluctuations, reduce soil erosion, and enhance biodiversity.

2. Water Management Innovations:

• Micro-Irrigation Systems: Drip and sprinkler irrigation can optimise water use during drought conditions.

• Rainwater Harvesting: Capturing and storing excess rainwater during heavy monsoons can mitigate water shortages during dry spells.

• Soil Drainage Improvements: Installing proper drainage systems in flood-prone areas can prevent waterlogging and root damage.

3. Climate-Adapted Tea Breeding & Biotechnology:

• Developing Climate-Resilient Clones: Research should focus on clones with deeper root systems and higher drought tolerance.

• Improving Soil Microbiome: Encouraging beneficial microbes can enhance nutrient absorption and improve plant health.

• Carbon Sequestration Practices: Organic farming and sustainable land management can enhance soil carbon levels, improving resilience against climate change.

4. Diversification & Value Addition:

• Product Diversification: Expanding into speciality teas, organic teas, herbal infusions, and tea tourism can enhance economic stability.

• Processing & Storage Innovations: Climate-controlled storage and improved post-harvest processing can maintain tea quality despite fluctuating weather conditions.

• Direct Market Access: Strengthening direct trade relationships and e-commerce can reduce dependency on volatile bulk markets.

5. Policy & Community Engagement:

• Government Support & Research: Advocacy for policy incentives, subsidies for climate adaptation measures, and investment in tea research institutes.

• Farmer Education & Training: Workshops on sustainable practices, climate forecasting, and pest-disease management to improve farmer preparedness.

• Cooperative & Collaborative Models: Encouraging collective farming initiatives for better resource management and financial sustainability.

As mentioned above, it is high time for all to engage themselves in implementing all these required strategies so that the tea industry can enhance both crop yield and quality while ensuring long-term sustainability despite the challenges posed by climate change.

It’s a well-known fact that teas (second flush) produced in Northeast Assam and Darjeeling particularly have been carrying on the traditional reputations as the best premium teas in the world, and this reputation has slowly come under threat because of erratic weather conditions due to changes in climate experienced very often nowadays.

Just to sustain the images and brand equity over the past 200 years of time for Northeast Assam and Darjeeling, where some of the world’s finest teas are produced, sustainability strategies must need to be tailored to their unique geography, climate, and cultivation practices. Here’s a region-specific approach that can be applied as needed:

1. Climate-Resilient Tea Cultivation:

Northeast Assam:

• Hybrid Approach for Bush Longevity: Combining traditional seed-grown bushes with selective drought-resistant clones to balance yield, quality, and pest resilience.

• Flood-Resistant Infrastructure: Elevated drainage systems and embankments in flood-prone estates.

• Agroforestry with Native Trees: Introducing indigenous shade trees like Albizia and Acacia to regulate temperature and moisture levels.

Darjeeling:

• Slope Stabilisation & Erosion Control: Using contour planting, terracing, and vetiver grass to prevent soil erosion in hilly terrain.

• Biodynamic & Organic Methods: Expanding composting, natural pest control, and soil enrichment to maintain the distinctive flavour of Darjeeling tea.

2. Water & Soil Management:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Creating reservoirs and water storage pits to collect monsoon rainfall for irrigation in drier months.

• Drip Irrigation in Dry Periods: Reducing water wastage and ensuring soil moisture retention.

• Microbial Soil Enhancements: Using bio-fertilisers and mycorrhizal fungi to improve nutrient absorption and root strength.

3. Climate-Resilient Tea Breeding:

• Developing Drought & Pest & Disease-Resistant Cultivars: Encouraging research institutions (like Tocklai Tea Research Institute) to focus on adaptive clones that do not compromise flavour.

• Traditional Seed Propagation for High-End Tea: Since Darjeeling’s unique muscatel flavour is linked to seed-grown plants, estates should prioritize maintaining these bushes while supplementing with selective clones for productivity.

4. Sustainable Processing & Market Diversification:

• Carbon-Neutral Tea Factories: Transitioning to renewable energy (solar/hydro) for tea processing to meet global sustainability standards.

• Value-Added Products: Expanding into green, white, and artisanal teas to cater to premium markets.

• Direct-to-Consumer & Speciality Markets: Strengthening GI (Geographical Indication) protection for Darjeeling and Assam teas, enhancing global marketing through digital platforms.

5. Policy Support & Community Involvement:

• Government & Private Sector Collaboration: Advocating for subsidies, research grants, and export incentives for sustainable tea cultivation.

• Tea Grower Cooperatives: Encouraging small tea growers to form cooperatives for better access to resources and fair trade opportunities.

• Climate Awareness & Training: Educating workers and estate managers about changing weather patterns and adaptive farming techniques.

6. Tourism & Eco-Branding:

• Tea Tourism Expansion: Promoting estate visits, tea tasting experiences, and eco-stays to generate additional revenue.

• Sustainability Certification (Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, Organic): Enhancing global marketability by aligning with premium sustainability standards.

It is high time for the tea industry to consider integrating these strategies so that the Northeast Assam and Darjeeling tea industries can maintain their global reputation for high-quality teas while ensuring long-term resilience.