Tea production saw 3% growth

India's tea production registered a growth of 3 per cent last year with small tea growers contributing about 34 per cent to the output, the government told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said tea production during 2015-16 was 1233.14 million kgs and it registered a growth of 3 per cent as compared to last year, which is the highest ever tea production in India.

"Tea production in India is in the increasing trend over the period due to increase in number of small tea growers and their increased contribution to tea production which is about 34 per cent of the total production," she said during Question Hour.

Sitharaman said the sale of tea through auctions is one of the modes of disposal for better price realisation.

The quantity of tea sold at auctions during 2015-16 was 536.08 million kgs and the average price at auction per kg was Rs 127.62.

The Minister said during 2015-16, the production in South India suffered due to unfavourable weather conditions. The production in South India had declared by 16.76 million kgs while the production in Assam has increased to the tune of 46.15 million kgs during 2015-16 as compared to 2014-15.