Tengani Tea Growers Face Crisis Amid Prolonged Drought

Drought Threatens Tea Cultivation in Tengani

Jorhat, Mar 2: Small-scale tea farmers in Tengani, located in the Sarupathar subdivision of Golaghat district, are confronting a dire situation as their tea bushes suffer from an extended dry spell lasting nearly six months.

The once vibrant tea gardens are now fading, with vast areas of crops turning brown, leaving farmers worried about their livelihoods.

Without any irrigation systems in place, growers express their helplessness as the drought conditions intensify.

In a heartfelt plea for rain, local farmers recently convened in their tea gardens to pray for divine assistance to salvage their crops.

“Tea cultivation is our main source of income in Tengani,” shared Dilip Phukan, a resident of Gerukani village.

“Our earnings from tea farming support our families and children's education. However, the ongoing dry conditions are causing our tea bushes to wither. If this persists, our situation will become unbearable,” he added.

Phukan noted that many farmers are struggling to survive due to the lack of alternative job opportunities.

“We appeal to the government for irrigation support. It has been six months without rain. If a reliable water supply or irrigation system could be established, we would be immensely grateful. As small tea growers, we earnestly seek help,” he stated.

Tengani, where tea farming is the primary income source, produces approximately 1.5 million kilograms of green tea leaves each year, with around 75,000 kilograms sold daily.

Nearly 2,000 small tea growers across 42 villages rely solely on tea cultivation for their livelihoods.

The ongoing drought has also adversely impacted betel nut and agarwood trees, worsening the plight of farmers. Another grower from Gerukani village shared similar worries.

“We are counting on some government assistance. Without a water supply, we fear total loss. In previous years, our tea bushes would be lush with leaves by now. Currently, there are barely any. I cultivate around 10 bighas of tea, and the situation is dire everywhere. We need to unite as a community to seek solutions,” he remarked.

With their livelihoods at stake, the small tea growers of Tengani are anxiously awaiting rain to rejuvenate their fields or timely government action to restore their dwindling hopes.