"The major cause behind minor fluctuation in production figures is seasonal variation," the minister said.According to the minister's reply, the production of tea, based on data provided by Tea Board of India in 2013, was 292,63,58,804 kg which fell to 284,22,25,186 kg in 2014. It marginally climbed to 291,18,19,435 in 2015.The minister's reply shows that out of the total output, the decrease in production in these three years has been registered only by large tea companies while production by small tea growers has shown a rising trend during the same period.In 2013, small growers produced 72,96,16,414.4 kg of green leaves, which went up to 76,14,93,227.6 kg in 2014 and further up to 80,48,59,489.6 kg in 2015. Guwahati: Production of tea (green leaves) in the state has marginally declined in 2014 and 2015 compared to 2013 because of natural factors in the state, industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed the house in a written reply to a question by Congress legislator Durga Bhumij on Wednesday.He said the state government has already taken the initiative for formulating a comprehensive policy for the state to improve tea productivity.

Source: Times of India July 21, 2016 04:54 UTC