"Any setback to growers and manufacturers in the tea hub naturally translates into the industry's overall productivity taking a hit," Hemant Bangur, chairperson of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), told TOI. April could yet be the cruellest month, with a record import of cheap African tea this time last year setting the tone. ITA officials acknowledge that blending cheap imported tea with local produce for export would damage the Indian tea's reputation, built over a century and a half. Another concern is the dwindling production of GI-tagged Darjeeling tea. Output has almost halved to 6-6.5 million kg from the peak, achieved in the 70s. Smuggled Nepal-origin tea seems to have filled the void.
"Green-fly infestation is now a year-round threat. Last year, the impact wasn't as much in Darjeeling hills and Assam's South Bank as in the nearby Dooars, Terai and North Bank tea belts. But when you look at the overall crop loss, it was 10-11%. In the affected areas, it peaked at 50%," ITA vice-chairperson Atul Rastogi told TOI. "We fear the crisis could escalate this season." Lower rainfall than usual in 2024 aggravated the impact of green-fly infestation. Rastogi said invading swarms also seem to have become immune to commonly used pesticides.
— Times of India, 17 April, 2025
State any two conditions that favour the growth of tea in the areas mentioned in this article.

Question

"Any setback to growers and manufacturers in the tea hub naturally translates into the industry's overall productivity taking a hit," Hemant Bangur, chairperson of the Indian Tea Association (ITA), told TOI. April could yet be the cruellest month, with a record import of cheap African tea this time last year setting the tone. ITA officials acknowledge that blending cheap imported tea with local produce for export would damage the Indian tea's reputation, built over a century and a half. Another concern is the dwindling production of GI-tagged Darjeeling tea. Output has almost halved to 6-6.5 million kg from the peak, achieved in the 70s. Smuggled Nepal-origin tea seems to have filled the void.
"Green-fly infestation is now a year-round threat. Last year, the impact wasn't as much in Darjeeling hills and Assam's South Bank as in the nearby Dooars, Terai and North Bank tea belts. But when you look at the overall crop loss, it was 10-11%. In the affected areas, it peaked at 50%," ITA vice-chairperson Atul Rastogi told TOI. "We fear the crisis could escalate this season." Lower rainfall than usual in 2024 aggravated the impact of green-fly infestation. Rastogi said invading swarms also seem to have become immune to commonly used pesticides.
— Times of India, 17 April, 2025
State any two conditions that favour the growth of tea in the areas mentioned in this article.

KnowledgeBoat · Accepted Answer

The areas mentioned in the article are the Darjeeling hills, Assam, the Dooars and the Terai. Two conditions that favour the growth of tea in these areas are- 1. Rainfall The areas have a humid climate with abundant, well-distributed rainfall of at least 150 cm throughout the year. In the Assam tea areas the annual rainfall averages between 125 cm and 375 cm, while in the Duars and Darjeeling it ranges from 250 cm to 500 cm. 2. Temperature and relief A warm temperature between 24°C and 30°C, along with high humidity, heavy dew and morning fog, aids the rapid development of young leaves. The hill slopes also provide good drainage and protect the crop from annual inundations and stagnant water.

Geography

Indian Agriculture Cash Crops

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