Question : TEA INDUSTRY

(a) whether there has been a decline in the production of tea in the country and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any research to ascertain the reasons for the decline in the production as well as for improving the quality of tea produced in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor including the specific steps taken/being taken by the Government to boost the production and improve the quality of tea; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to develop/modernize the closed tea research centres and declare them as centre for excellence and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a): Tea being an agricultural crop, production would tend to fluctuate from year to year depending on the climatic conditions. However, it would be evident from the five year moving averages shown below that there was a steady increase in production over the years in India:

Year	5 Years Moving average	of Production in M kgs
1996-97 to 2000-01	832.52
2001-02 to 2005-06	886.36
2006-07 to 2010-11	958.15