Extension services for doubling South Indian tea production

Abstract

To understand the success story of doubling of South Indian tea production an in-depth review of technical support and information available from UPASl Tea Research Institute has been attempted. This paper also profiles the tea producer, extension worker and details the extension strategies adopted for reaching the current yield levels. The first part of this article largely reviews these specifics while the laterpart lists the newer types of extension services, which are considered to be fast and cost effective. An integrated approach of dovetailing the existing system with that of latest techniques is advocated. However, attention must now be drawn to an adjustment in extension strategy in this era of falling prices, which requires quality product to fetch remunerative returns.