The Hindu Business Line : Productivity rises at Kanan Devan plantation

KANAN Devan Hills Plantation (KDHP) Company has notched up a 35 per cent growth in tea production during the first quarter of the current year, from 47.53 lakh kg to 63.96 lakh kg.

The growth in production was facilitated by a 56 per cent growth in labour productivity, with each tea-plucker contributing 49.87 kg (31.89 kg.).

"With the implementation of the participatory management paradigm and the employees identifying themselves with the plantations, their commitment to the work and the estates has increased.

"This is reflected not only in the increased production, but also in heightened labour productivity," Mr T. V. Alexander, Managing Director of KDHP, said.

The KDHP is probably the biggest participatory management company in the world, with 12,441 workers (97.22 per cent) opting to acquire shares in the company. Share certificates have been issued to all the shareholders of the company, a fax from KDHP said.

The company has already made marketing forays into the quality-conscious Gujarat market with an initial supply of 3.75 lakh kg of black tea. There have also been enquiries for spices, green tea and other speciality products from North Indian markets.

Regarding the project for growing medicinal and aromatic plants, advanced negotiations for a buy-back are on, which is to be finalised soon. Discussions are progressing with a Dutch company for growing roses and alstromeria flowers.

The long-term agreement with the foreign company is also expected materialise soon.

The participatory management programme is being actively implemented. With the support of trade unions, elections to various committees have already commenced, and the whole process is expected to be successfully completed by September.

"Overall, a sense of pride is felt by most of the employees on the performance of their company in the first quarter of this season.

"We are optimistic that the company's performance for the rest of the year will truly reflect the character and determination of the stakeholder. We hope to return a healthy bottom line at the end of the year, fully in line with the projections," Mr Alexander said.

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