Tea and Coffee are the two most important beverage crops of India.
Assam is a major tea producing state in India along with West Bengal Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The cropping season in Assam begins as early as March and extends almost to mid-December. Besides, the popular black tea, Assam also produces small quantities of white and green tea. This state has favourable conditions for the growth of tea.
The tea plant grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It requires deep and fertile well-drained soil, rich in humus and organic matter. Tea bushes require moist, frost-free and warm climate all through the year with abundant skilled labour. Frequent evenly distributed showers over the year ensure continuous growth of tender tea leaves.
The following are the conditions required for tea cultivation:
Temperature- 10-30 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall- average yearly rainfall of 200‌cm.
Altitude- ground level of between 600−2000m above sea level.
Coffee is a tropical plant which is also grown in semi-tropical climate. Coffee tree requires heat, humidity and abundant rainfall. Karnataka, the largest coffee producing state has favourable conditions necessary for coffee cultivation.
The temperature of the place is 23∘C to 28∘C. Growth is most rapid during hot, rainy season and during cool, dry season, berries ripen and get ready for picking. Bright sunshine and warm weather are necessary for the harvesting.
It needs rainfall between 60−85 inches. Water stagnation is very harmful for coffee plants; therefore, hill slopes are best suitable for growing it.
Soil is the guiding factor in coffee plantation. The ideal soil is one with a good sub-surface drainage, and one that is easily workable. The presence of humus and other nitrogenous matter in the soil is an advantage.