The Hindu : Front Page : Ooty tea gardens hit by severe frost

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Tuesday, Jan 09, 2007
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Ooty tea gardens hit by severe frost

D. Radhakrishnan

Production is likely to come down by 50 per cent: Joint Director of Horticulture

THE IMPACT: A frost-affected tea garden near Udhagamandalam. - Photo: D. Radhakrishnan

Udhagamandalam: Severe frost has become a major source of concern in many tea gardens in the hill station.

Joint Director of Horticulture, Nilgiris, R. Selvaraj told The Hindu here that the harsh winter has taken many by surprise. Pointing out that out of the cultivable area of 80,000 hectares in six taluks of the district, 60,000 hectares were devoted for tea. Many tea gardens in four taluks were affected by the frost. Out of 17,000 hectares in Udhagamandalam and Kundah taluks, 700 hectares in Nanjanad, Yedakkad, Ithalar, Nunthala and Kodhumudi were affected.

In Kotagiri taluk, hundred hectares out of 12,000 hectares in Nedugula and Milidhane were hit. In Coonoor taluk, out of 11,000 hectares, 102 hectares in Thambatty, Ketti, Palada, Katteri and Selas were affected.

Mr. Selvaraj, however, clarified that only traditionally frost-prone areas were affected. Assistant Director of Horticulture J. Haldorai said the yield in most of the frost-hit tea estates was likely to come down by 50 per cent.

It is feared that if the present trend continued, per hectare loss would be about Rs. 16,000. A study of the records maintained by the department of horticulture showed that after a gap of about six years the hill station was experiencing such a severe frost. Small tea growers had been advised to go for plant protection measures.

All India Radio was airing programmes to help them. On the brighter side, the frost will help control soil pests and harmful fungal mycelia.

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