Madhabpur: Tea Industry Affected Due to Red Spider Infestation, Power Outage
Tea plants are affected due to 'Red Spider' infestation at Madhabpur Tea Gardens. Agamir Somoy
The tea industry in Madhabpur, Habiganj, is facing a severe crisis due to an infestation of Red Spiders and frequent power outages. This disruption in production has caused growing concern among garden owners, officials, and laborers.
According to a report by the Bangladesh Tea Association, the Surma Tea Estate has been heavily hit by Red Spider attacks. These pests damage young tea leaves, causing them to turn a reddish-black color, which threatens to significantly reduce overall yield.
Stakeholders noted that while production saw a slight increase in May, it has failed to reach expected targets. Although recent rainfall has encouraged the growth of new buds, the overall production outlook remains uncertain.
Compounding these issues is the persistent electricity crisis. With power available for only five to six hours a day, factory processing is frequently interrupted. This delay increases the risk of raw tea leaves rotting before they can be processed.
Laborers at the Jagdishpur Tea Estate reported that even when leaves are harvested on time, the lack of electricity prevents them from being processed promptly.
Babul Kumar Sarkar, Manager of the Surma Tea Estate said despite the decline in production, the estate must spend approximately Tk5 million weekly to cover the wages and rations of 2,200 workers. He emphasized that the combination of crop diseases and power shortages has made the situation increasingly difficult to manage.
Sohag Mahmud, Manager of the Noapara Tea Estate, added that labor shortages and pest infestations are further hampering production. He warned that without rapid improvement, the industry faces the prospect of heavy financial losses.
Industry experts believe that unless effective measures are taken immediately, there could be a significant negative impact on both production volumes and employment within the sector.
