Prospects of tea cultivation on darjeeling and adjacent hills

摘要

Tea cultivation in Darjeeling hills dates back to 1835. Over the years, productivity in this tea belt has deteriorated, but it still holds the pride of being producer of best flavoury tea popularly known as 'Champagne of tea', in the world. This paper deals with brief history of Darjeeling tea, its premium flavour aspects, a few major problems and endeavours to limelight a few important areas which can provide sustainability to tea in Darjeeling and adjoining hills viz. emphasis on removal of age old, economically unviable tea bushes, minimum tillage replantation, concepts of integrated nutrient and pest management, shorter plucking cycle etc. A note of tea cultivation in Sikkim has been added, also.