Tea is one of the most valuable crops and export commodities of Bangladesh, playing a vital role in the national economy and the livelihoods of thousands. The country's lush tea estates, primarily located in Sylhet and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, have traditionally benefited from a favorable climate. However, rising temperatures and shifting climatic patterns are now disrupting this balance. Increasing heat and unpredictable rainfall are hampering tea cultivation, posing significant risks to production and the survival of those who depend on the industry.
Between January and March 2025, the tea-growing regions of Sylhet received only 4 mm of rainfall, compared to 46 mm during the same period in 2024, according to data from the Moulvibazar weather office. A prolonged heatwave, which began at the end of Chaitra, continued into April with temperatures soaring between 38-40°C. The scorching heat parched the land, killed saplings, hindered the emergence of new buds, and stunted plant growth. Erratic monsoon rains further threatened production and left tea gardens struggling.
High temperatures and irregular rainfall severely impact the physiology of tea bushes. The heat stresses the plants, causing leaves to harden and slowing bud development. Uneven rainfall leads to water stress, reducing leaf growth and yield. These effects directly influence the taste, flavor, and overall quality of the final product. As a result, harvest timing becomes unpredictable, delaying or shortening the plucking season. Tea estates have reported a decline in both the quality and quantity of leaves, leading to lower market value and decreased efficiency.
From January to March 2025, Bangladesh Tea Board statistics show that production fell to just 93 million kilograms, falling short of the targeted 103 million kilograms-a 10 million kg deficit. January was particularly dismal, producing only 364,000 kilograms compared to the monthly average of around 850,000 kilograms. Consequently, plans for expansion have been shelved, and production declined by nearly 9 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This drop, driven by heat stress and erratic rainfall, is causing financial strain for both estate owners and workers.
Low yields directly affect the livelihoods of over 100,000 tea workers across the country. During times of reduced production, workers receive fewer plucking days, lower wages, and delayed payments. Casual laborers are often dismissed or not called in at all, worsening their financial insecurity. Women, who make up the majority of the workforce, are disproportionately affected. With no alternative sources of income, many families struggle to afford food, education, and healthcare-turning climate-induced crop losses into a broader human crisis.
Rising temperatures are also rapidly drying up natural water sources in tea-growing areas, making irrigation both difficult and expensive. Streams and ponds that once supported year-round cultivation are now often dry during the most productive seasons. This water scarcity hinders leaf growth and weakens plant health. Furthermore, repeated dry spells followed by heavy rains are causing soil erosion and the loss of vital nutrients, degrading soil fertility and further undermining productivity.
Tea garden laborers and smallholders are voicing increasing concerns over these climatic disruptions. Many express anxiety about reduced work opportunities, as extreme heat and delayed rains disrupt plucking schedules. Workers report that prolonged dryness dehydrates the leaves, making them tough and difficult to harvest, reducing both quality and quantity. Farmers lament rising costs for irrigation and fertilizers, while facing lower earnings due to shrinking yields. These challenges have triggered widespread skepticism about the sustainability of tea farming under current climate trends.
In response to these difficulties, some tea estate owners and managers are adopting climate adaptation strategies. Shade trees are being planted to reduce direct sunlight and retain soil moisture. Plucking schedules are being adjusted to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Some larger estates are experimenting with drought- and heat-resistant tea varieties. Despite these efforts, most acknowledge that such steps can only offer limited relief without broader support through climate policy and resilience initiatives.
The government of Bangladesh has initiated several programs to tackle climate-related challenges in the tea sector. The Bangladesh Tea Association has proposed that tea be officially recognized as a 100% agro-crop to enable access to low-interest loans. Twenty-nine climate resilience and sustainability projects funded by the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund are aimed at improving conditions in vulnerable sectors. The Ministry of Environment is calling for science-based, coordinated interventions to protect high-risk industries. However, financial constraints, mismanagement, and exploitative labor practices remain significant obstacles. Experts recommend mapping tea gardens, providing compensatory wages, and introducing better pricing mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability.
Agricultural and environmental scientists confirm that higher temperatures place immense stress on tea cultivation, restricting growth habits and reducing yield quality. Heat stress accelerates leaf aging and diminishes the biochemical properties that define flavor and export value. Economists warn that ongoing climate uncertainty could jeopardize the tea industry's economic viability, reducing both export revenue and workers' income. Experts urge integrated climate adaptation, including improved crop varieties and agroecological practices, to mitigate these mounting agricultural and economic risks.
Bangladesh is not alone. Other major tea-producing countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya are also facing climate-related challenges. In India's Assam and Darjeeling regions, unseasonal rainfall and heat have reduced yields and affected quality. Sri Lanka has suffered severe droughts that have damaged its globally renowned Ceylon tea. In Kenya-the largest tea exporter in Africa-erratic weather and prolonged dryness have caused production declines and rising prices. These global impacts reaffirm that climate change is not a local crisis, but a widespread threat to the global tea industry.
To safeguard Bangladesh's tea sector, the adoption of climate-resilient tea varieties and modern irrigation systems is essential. Government support through financial aid, investment in research and development, and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture must be strengthened. Training programs and early warning systems should be launched to build farmers' resilience. Additionally, worker welfare-including timely wages and access to healthcare-must be prioritized. Combating climate change is vital to ensure the future of tea cultivation and the livelihoods of the thousands who depend on it.
The writer is an LLB student, Department of Law, World University of Bangladesh
