Five weather stations to benefit small tea growers inaugurated in the Nilgiris

Five weather stations have been established in the Nilgiris villages of Thummanatti and Kadakodu by Tea Board India to assist small tea growers in accessing local weather data to manage their yields, quality, as well as disease and pest control. This initiative is a part of the technological intervention scheme implemented by the Tea Board India, in collaboration with Agri Foretell and Havukal Tea Factory.

During a review meeting held in Thummanatti, Deputy Chairman C. Murugan of the Tea Board India, along with other officials, officials from Havukal Tea Factory and Agri Foretell Group, and the small tea growers themselves, discussed their experiences and challenges faced while implementing the project.

Mr. Murugan highlighted the importance of small tea growers not merely being suppliers of green tea leaves, encouraging them to expand within the value chain by setting up mini tea factories and producing their own tea. The Tea Board India has promised to provide the 'Tea Mark' certification to these growers, allowing them to market their tea directly through the Tea Board's authorized online commercial platform, teamarketplace.in.