Udhagamandalam: The 125th annual conference of the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) was held in Coonoor on Saturday.
Union minister for commerce and industry Suresh Prabhu, who could not attend the event as the chief guest, delivered a pre-recorded speech. “The problems faced by the planters are well known. They are looking for financial support. An official from the department will be sent to UPASI to address their problems and I assure to talk with the finance ministry about it soon,” the minister said.
Co-founder and group CEO of Olam International Limited and chairman of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Sunny Verghese, who inaugurated the conference in the absence of the minister, said, “The plantation sector should show competitive differentiations in the process, which could lead to sustainability.”
Global tea production has doubled in the past 10 years while production of coffee has dwindled, the conference observed.
Verghese distributed trophies to the winners of the 14th edition of The Golden Leaf India Awards organized in Dubai in May 2018.
