Tea plantation transportation now by drone; experiment successful

In the tea estates of Munnar, drones are being used to transport tea leaves, replacing the centuries-old rope way and monorail systems. This modern approach to tea harvesting is part of the innovative farming technology being implemented in Kerala's tea plantations. The use of drones for tea leaf collection is a step towards sustainable tea farming and modern tea estates, reflecting the evolving landscape of tea production in Munnar. This development is also boosting tourism in Munnar, as reported in the Malayalam news by Malayala Manorama Online News.

Munnar tea harvesting is exploring drone technology to transport tea leaves from plantations, inspired by historical ropeways. This innovative approach aims to reduce the burden on workers and improve efficiency in tea leaf collection. Experimentally, tea leaves were transported from high-altitude tea estates to the road below using drones under the Lakad Estate, managed by the HML company in Devikulam. The trial, conducted with a drone capable of carrying 10 kilograms, was successful. Currently, tea leaves collected from the mountains are carried by female workers who walk kilometers to bring them down and load them onto company vehicles. The steep descent with heavy loads caused health issues and time loss for the workers. In the initial trial, a drone carrying a 10-kilogram basket successfully transported tea leaves from estates located 100 to 300 feet above ground and up to 3 kilometers away. ...