A Pestilent Green Fly Is Crimping Tea Output in Assam, Darjeeling

A small green fly, not measuring more than 5mm in length, has started taking a heavy toll on the Darjeeling and Assam tea industry with production of Darjeeling tea dropping to a record low in 2024.

- Joydeep Thakur

KOLKATA: Experts have blamed it on the climate crisis.

Data shared by the Tea Board of India reveals that the production of this world-famous brew, known for its rich aroma and unmatched flavour, dropped to 5.6 million kilos in 2024, the lowest in recent times. In 2022 and 2023 the production of Darjeeling tea was 6.9 million kilos and 6.01 million kilos respectively.

"The tea industry in West Bengal and Assam is facing a severe challenge due to widespread infestation of green flies, a pest that has emerged as a major threat over the past two years. This sap-sucking insect has caused significant damage to tea plants particularly during the dry months leading to yield reductions ranging from 11% to as high as 55%," said Joydeep Phukan, secretary and principal officer of Tea Research Association (TRA).

In West Bengal, tea is grown in the hills of Darjeeling at an elevation of 600m to 2,000m and in the foothills, the Terai-Dooars region, in Alipurduar Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts.