Detailed Summary
India is an agriculturally rich nation, with a substantial portion of its population engaged in farming. Among the various agricultural products, tea stands out due to its significance as both a beverage and an export commodity. Tea plantations primarily thrive in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India, needing well-drained, fertile soil and a moist climate. The country's tea industry was initiated by the British and has since evolved, with most plantations now owned by Indians. Major tea-producing states include Assam, North Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, highlighting the geographical dependency of this crop. The section elaborates on the types of farming prevalent in India, contrasting intensive subsistence and commercial farming, emphasizing the labor-intensive nature of tea cultivation due to its reliance on skilled labor for planting and processing. The importance of tea is underscored not just in economic terms, but also in how it reflects the cultural practices surrounding agriculture in India.