Tag: agriculture in india - iii : cash crops

Shrub means a small plant. Tea plant is a shrub. It is an important beverage crop which was introduced in India by british. Tea plant grows well in tropical and sub tropical climates. It grows in deep fertile soil. It requires warm ans moist frost free climate.

All these countries mentioned are leading tea producers. The largest producer is China followed by India. Tea production was introduced in India by British. Even today India is the largest tea producer and exporter. Srilanka holds fourth position.

All these states above mentioned are leading producers of tea. The tea production was introduced in India by the british. Today most of the tea plantation is done in India. India is the leading tea producer and exporter. 

China is the only country in the world with a long glorious history of tea. That is why, no other civilization in the world can boast of a tea tradition that is older than 5000 years. Hence it is little wonder that China is the biggest producer of tea in the world. It produced around 2,400 million kg in 2016, which is increasing significantly each year. No surprise that, in Chinese culture, tea is one of the seven basic necessities of life. Others are firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar. Tea is inseparably woven into the history and culture of China.

Ideal climatic conditions to grow coffee are related to temperature and rainfall; temperatures in the range of 73 °F (23 °C) and 82 °F (28 °C) with rainfall incidence in the range of 60–80 inches (1.5–2.0 m) followed by a dry spell of 2–3 months suit the Arabica variety.

1. The adequate rainfall for the cultivation of tea is 150cm-250cm. Tea Shrubs require fertile mountain soil mixed with lime and iron. The soil should be rich in humus. 
2. Excess rainfall in the monsoon months of June and September cause drainage problems.  
3. The average monthly rainfall during Nov to march is less than the evapotranspiration loss. { Water is transferred from land to atmosphere by evaporation from soil and other surface and also by transpiration from plants}  resulting in soil moisture deficiency which effects tea bushes.
4. This adequate rainfall during winter and early spring are crucial for high yield.

The ideal temperature for growing tea is between 18 and 30 degrees. The plant growth is adversely affected when the temperature goes above 32 degrees or drops below 13 degrees.

A plantation is the large-scale estate meant for farming that specializes in cash crops. The crops that are grown include cotton, coffee, sugarcane, etc.