The Hindu Business Line : Frost may hit TN, Kerala tea output

Kochi, Jan. 9 The severe cold conditions prevailing in the Nilgiris and the high ranges of Kerala from late December are likely to pull down the regions’ tea production, as tea plants in about 2,400 hectares spread over these two regions have been damaged by frost.

“This year, the temperature in the Nilgiris and Kerala’s high ranges (Munnar) has dropped to sub-zero levels resulting in frost damage. This will lead to a decline in output by not less than 20 per cent this month and in February and even March as the return of the plant to healthy conditions will take one to two-and-a-half months,” Mr N. Muraleedharan, Adviser to Tea Research Foundation (TRF), told Business Line on Friday from Anamalai in Coimbatore District.

It is a natural phenomenon in these tea growing areas at high elevations, he said. But, this year the winter has been severe unlike last year. In low temperature, the growth of tea plants will be low and hence, normally January, February and March are low crop months, he said. This year there has been severe frost which, in fact, is burning the tender tea leaf.

According to Mr Muraleedharan, replanting should be taken up in such areas. An equivalent area should be planted with tea elsewhere while this area could be planted with trees such as Eucalyptus, he said. There have been some schemes for this purpose introduced by the Central Government, he said.

According to UPASI sources, there has been an overall increase of 21 to 22 million kg in output as on November 30 last year. The drop in output in January- February could have a negative impact on the total production in 2009, they said.

The total all India production last year is estimated to touch 1,000 million kg. In South India, output in all the growing States has shown an increase in 2008. During January-August 2008, production in Tamil Nadu was up by 8.1 mkg to 105.7 mkg, while that of Kerala moved up by 5.7 mkg to 45.6 mkg and Karnataka was 3.8 mkg with an increase of 0.6 mkgs.

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