VP Radhakrishnan Urges Tea Industry to Build Global Brands at TRF Centenary in Coonoor
Inaugurating the centenary celebrations of the Tea Research Foundation of the United Planters’ Association of South India in Coonoor, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan appealed to tea industry stakeholders to develop robust Indian brands. He urged producers to expand their market footprint and improve quality, branding, and value-addition to enhance competitiveness in the international market.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President commended the Tea Research Foundation for its century of service to the tea industry, plantation owners, and laborers. He noted that India remains one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of tea, stressing that proper processing and production require equal attention alongside cultivation practices.
Radhakrishnan highlighted the growing competition from other tea-producing nations and emphasized the need for ongoing research, innovation, and continuous quality training for plantation owners. To meet global standards, he called for developing skilled research experts, modernising processing factories, and executing vital revitalisation works across the sector.
The Vice President urged producers and exporters to look beyond bulk sales and take dynamic steps to establish Indian tea brands with higher global visibility. He also recommended that the foundation mark its centenary year by expanding its network of research centres into additional regions and upgrading existing facilities with modern equipment.
Stressing that industrial development must go hand-in-hand with labor welfare, Radhakrishnan called for greater attention to the well-being of tea workers. He suggested that the United Planters’ Association of South India consider establishing medical centres at select locations across four south Indian states to offer health check-ups and medical consultations for plantation staff.
Concluding his address, the Vice President encouraged leading firms to collaborate on new products and production methods, urging stakeholders to work alongside central and state governments to capitalise on domestic demand. Tamil Nadu Governor R.V. Arlekar, Tea Board deputy chairman C. Murugan, and association president Ajoy Thippayya also spoke at the event.
