Kolkata, May 6 (IANS): Tea production in the country grew 56 percent at 68.34 million kg in March as compared to 43.76 million kg in the same month last year, according to estimated production data of the Tea Board of India.

In March, Assam produced 31.29 million kg of tea, up 163 percent. The state had produced 11.87 million kg in March, 2015.

West Bengal, which has tea-producing regions of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars, produced 20.48 million kg of tea in March as compared to 14.45 million kg produced in the corresponding month last year.

South India's production fell by 8.33 percent to 15.30 million kg in March. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka had combinedly produced 16.69 million kg in the month last year.

Of the total production in March, north India produced 53.04 million kg, about 96 percent of the total production.

Estimated tea production in the country stood at 1213.03 million kg in 2015-16, up marginally by 1.3 percent.

India had produced 1,197.18 million kg in 2014-15.

In 2015-16, north India contributed 988.75 million kg in production while south India produced 224.28 million kg.