The Tea Plantations of Nilgiri First planted on an experimental scale in 1835 at Ketti Valley in Ooty, Nilgiri teas now account for approximately 120 million kilogrammes of tea per annum. Thiashola was first cultivated by Chineses Prisoners of War, captured by the British in their Opium Wars. Estate managers continue to enjoy a traditionally colonial way of life, working hard towards the Saturday auction whilst always having time for their game of golf and 'sundowner' at the Club. In Nilgiri land under tea smallholdings continues to increase, and current estimates put the number of smallholders at 30,000 having extents of upto 10 hectares under tea. The reason for this expansion of a formerly ailing sector, is the rapid increase in tea prices which have made tea more profitable than other crops such as vegetables.
Smallholders sell their green leaf to neighbouring factories for processing into black tea.
Nilgiri estates are efficiently managed, yielding upto 3,500 kg., processed tea per hectare. As in Ceylon, the reasonable temperatures enable year round harvesting and processing. In India's Norther Eastern plantations, harvesting ceases during Winter when tea bushes become dormant until February. Workers are provided accommodation and the larger plantation units are often self reliant, which estate schools, dispensaries and places of worship. The Estate Manager's duties usually include responsibility for the workers' socio-cultural development also.