Located in the northeastern region of India, Assam is the largest tea producing state in India and holds that position with pride. This beautiful and green state rich in bio diversity and culture has been associated with tea production for more than two centuries.
The factor that make Assam suitable for tea plantations include; the appropriate climatic condition, suitable for tea plantations, suitable soil and rainfall. Due to the terroir condition the Assam variety is widely known for its strong malty flavor and an intense amber hue.
Assam’s dominance in tea production can be attributed to several factors that is why Assam is the largest tea producing state in India :
- Vast Tea Gardens: It is supplied by extensive tea plantation areas that occupy thousands of hectares of land and provide work to a large part of the population.
- High Yielding Varieties: Assam possesses tea varieties which have high yield potential because of favourable environment and geophysical factors.
- Government Support: The government of Assam and indeed other governments in the tea producing regions of the world have provided support to the tea industry in many ways; be it in research, development of infrastructure or through providing support in the form of grants and subsidies to the growers.
- Strong Infrastructure: Better transport infrastructure employs transport of tea leaves to factories or markets to promote the product or market it.
Tea industry is also an important constituent of Assam’s economy in view of its contribution in generation of employment, foreign exchange earner for the country and several other development realms. It is also synonymous with tea and comprises many famous brands of tea and export tea is sent to many nations across the world.
However, apart from the economic aspect, Assam tea is related philosophically with the culture and tradition of the area. The tea gardens and plantations, quiet countryside, colonial British style buildings like bungalows, cottages, and other structures; the gardens are a major magnet for tourists worldwide. Assam Tea, packaged tea as well as employing the virtually synonymous term, Assam tea, the annual tea auctions in Guwahati, the commercial capital of Assam, are very significant in the tea business.
Thus, one can state that Assam’s right to be called the largest tea Producing tea state in India is fully justified. Diversity of natural resources, good climate and cultural aspects of the state have provided the state a leading position in production of teas in the world. Bearing this in mind, there is every prospect that as the desire for appreciable tea rises further, not only will Assam be able to consolidate its position as the “Tea Haven of India” even more.
