New Delhi, Sept. 27 -- India's tea industry, one of the country's oldest and most labour-intensive sectors, is facing serious challenges that demand urgent reforms.

The sector is struggling with falling production, weak profits, rising costs, and shrinking export demand.

Climate change, unpredictable rainfall, and rising temperatures have reduced yields in key regions like Assam and West Bengal. In addition, pest attacks and ageing tea bushes are adding to the decline.

Despite being the world's largest tea consumer in absolute numbers, India's per capita consumption remains low. This limits growth opportunities in the domestic market.

On the export front, Indian tea is losing ground due to rising competition from other producing natio...