°ORGANIC TEA CULTIVATION°
Objective of organic tea cultivation is to have an ecologically sustainable plantation, aimed at the conservation of ecology and natural habit without polluting soil, air and water and yet maintaining sustainable tea production. Tea is produced in the absence of synthesized chemicals like pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, growth regulators and concentrated fertilizers. Naturally occurring, mined products and bulky and concentrated organic manures are used for resistant cultivars, regulation of micro-climate or by the introduction of biological control agents/the use of biological products, naturally extracted without the use of inorganic solvents.
Selection of site
The area needs to be sufficiently isolated to ensure that there is no possibility of any pollutants or contaminants flowing or drifting into it from any known or unknown sources. There should be a buffer zone on sufficient width on all sides of the plot depending on the topography of the area, to ensure the above safety. The minimum width of buffer zone should be 100 metres. The minimum depth of soil profile should be 1.5 to 2.0 metres and organic matter status should be medium to high level depending on the elevation and rainfall of the area. A perennial source of water free from pollutants is required in the estate for large scale compost preparation, which is essential for organic tea cultivation. A detailed history of a period of about ten years, fully documented to give details of external inputs during preconversion period, should be maintained to facilitate inspection of organic tea cultivation.
- santanu dirial
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