The Hindu Business Line : Incidence of frost hits Nilgiris tea crop

FRESH incidences of frost bites in the tea growing areas of the Nilgiris have been reported with the tea scientists apprehending at least a 10 per cent fall in the crop this month compared to February last year.

Although incidences of frost were reported in December and January, with the weather improving, the growers were expecting a recovery in crop. But, the frost has once again attacked the low-lying pockets this week.

Tea belts in Kil Kotagiri, Thuttapallam, Kora Kundha, Emerald, Ithlar, Karumbalam and Naduvattam regions have reported frost bites. Night temperature has fallen to zero degrees Celsius in some areas.

"We have reports of frost damage from far and near places, but we are yet to calculate the damage. For the initial reckoning, a 10 per cent crop loss is a possibility," a tea scientist told Business Line.

According to the UPASI Tea Research Foundationaround 546 hectares of its member estates suffered from frost in December and 550 hectares in January.

It has said the intensity of the bite varies from estate to estate. "The top hamper of the severely affected bushes has dried up. The depth of damage varies from bush to bush. This will affect the production," its report has noted.

The TRF has advised planters to leave the severely affected bushes. It has issued a detailed circular to its member estates on the measures they should take to cope with the frost and the drought.

"The frost has eaten up the bushes and the harvest has come down. We don't have enough leaves for processing. So, we have reduced the working of our factory to just two days a week. If this situation continues, we will be forced to manufacture tea just a single day a week," said Mr G. Stephen Jayaseelan, a factory owner and a former Secretary of the Nilgiris Bought-Leaf Tea Manufacturers' Association.

He said that because of low output and flat prices at the auctions, the overall earnings have come down drastically compared to last year. "We are keeping our fingers crossed over the viability of running the factory," he said.

The offerings at the auctions conducted by the Coonoor Tea Trade Association have reduced. Last week, only 8.57 lakh kg were offered for sale against 11.17 lakh kg last year.

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