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Kochi, Sept. 5 The POABS Organic estates has alleged that the recent decision of the Kerala Government to take over its Thuthampara estate in Palakkad district has resulted in damaging the company’s image before its overseas buyers and other clients.

The takeover of the estate, at a time when its products had started entering the shelves of the Western supermarkets, would give a bad name to the company as it would make it difficult for the company to fulfil its long-term export commitments, POABS officials said.

The 140-hectare Thuthampara Estate was on a 99-year long lease since 1908 and had reached the hands of the POABS group only in 1995, the officials told media persons here. The estate was taken over by the State Forest Department on the expiry of its lease period in July under the Environmental and Forest Regulations, they said.

POABS had earned a name in the international market in such a short time by securing organic certifications and international awards for its products and the company was planning to augment its production to meet the growing demand for organic products especially in the European and American markets.

The Nelliampathy estate of the POABS in Palakkad district, comprising the Thuthampara and Seethargundu plantations, produces high quality organic tea, coffee, cardamom and pepper which have been in high demand in many countries including Germany, the US and Japan, POABS officials said. The turnover of the estate was Rs 10 crore last year of which the share of the Thuthamapara estate was Rs 3 crore, the officials said. In addition to organic plantations, POABS has also entered organic paddy cultivation in the Kuttanad area of Alappuzha district in association with a group of farmers.

Under this venture, POABS procured the entire produce from the region, offering a premium price for the crop. Part of the organic rice from the farm was already being exported, the officials added.

More Stories on : Agricultural Policy | Plantations | Kerala

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