SANKARA ARTS AND SCIENCE
COLLEGE
AUTONOMOUS
ENATHUR, KANCHIPURAM – 631 561
PG and Research Department of Biotechnology
Industrial
Visit Report
Date
of Visit: 15th
July 2026 to 18th July 2026
TATA Kanan Devan Tea Factory, Tea
Estate, Fruits Farm and Jaggery Factory,
Munnar & Kanthalloor, Kerala.
SRI SANKARA ARTS AND SCIENCE
COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)
ENATHUR, KANCHIPURAM – 631 561
DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Industrial Visit Report
Industrial
Visit to TATA Kanan Devan Tea Factory, Tea Estate, Fruits Farm and Jaggery
Factory, Munnar & Kanthalloor, Kerala
Introduction
Industrial
visits are an essential component of biotechnology education as they provide
students with practical exposure to industrial processes, agricultural
practices, and environmental conservation. To bridge the gap between classroom
learning and real-world applications, the Department of Biotechnology, Sri
Sankara Arts and Science College (Autonomous), organized an industrial visit to
Munnar and Kanthalloor, Kerala, from 15th July to 18th July 2026.
A
total of 53 students accompanied by 2 faculty members
participated in this educational tour. The visit provided valuable insights
into tea cultivation, tea processing technology, plantation management, fruit
farming, jaggery production, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable
agricultural practices. The industrial visit also enhanced students'
understanding of biotechnology applications in agriculture and food processing
industries.
Date of
Visit
Duration: 15th July 2026 to 18th July
2026
Places
Visited:
- TATA Kanan Devan Tea Museum
- TATA Kanan Devan Tea Estate
- Fruits Farm, Kanthalloor
- Jaggery Factory, Kanthalloor
- Lakkam Waterfalls
- Murugan Mala
- Honey Rock View Point
- Sandalwood Forest
- Mattupetty Dam
- Echo Point
- Gap Road View Point
Objectives
of the Visit
The
major objectives of the industrial visit were:
- To
understand tea cultivation and plantation management.
- To
study the tea manufacturing process from fresh leaves to finished tea.
- To
observe quality control practices followed in the tea industry and to
learn about plantation biotechnology and sustainable agricultural
practices.
- To
understand fruit cultivation techniques in hill regions.
- To
study traditional jaggery manufacturing methods.
- To
gain knowledge about biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats and to
understand environmental management practices in plantation ecosystems.
- To
promote interaction between students and industry professionals and to
enhance practical knowledge beyond classroom learning.
About
the Organisation
TATA
Kanan Devan Tea Museum
The
TATA Tea Museum, located at Nallathanni Estate in Munnar, was
established by Tata Consumer Products Limited (formerly Tata Tea Limited)
to preserve the rich history of tea cultivation in Munnar. The museum showcases
the evolution of tea plantations in the region through historical photographs,
machinery, documents, and audiovisual presentations.
Students
learned about the origin of tea plantations established during the British era
and the technological advancements that transformed tea production into a
globally recognized industry. The museum also displayed old tea-processing
machinery, plantation equipment, and scientific methods adopted in modern tea
manufacturing.
Chief
staff explained about the process of Tea production and cultivation
Tea Processing stages displayed
Students learned about the origin
of tea plantations established during the British era
TATA
Kanan Devan Tea Estate
The Kanan
Devan Hills Plantations is one of India's largest tea-growing regions,
spread across thousands of hectares in Munnar. The estate follows scientific
cultivation practices to produce premium-quality tea.
During the
visit, students observed:
- Tea nursery establishment
- Tea plantation management
- Pruning techniques
- Pest and disease management
- Organic manure application
- Sustainable farming practices
- Soil conservation methods
- Harvesting of tender tea
leaves
Students
also learned about the importance of biotechnology in developing
disease-resistant tea varieties, improving crop productivity, and conserving
plantation ecosystems.
Tea cultivation, tea processing
technology, plantation management
Kanthalloor
Educational Visit
Kanthalloor
is one of Kerala's important horticultural regions, well known for its cool
climate and diverse fruit cultivation. The visit provided students with
practical exposure to horticulture, biodiversity, and sustainable farming.
Visit
to Carmelgiri Botanical Garden
As
part of the educational tour in Munnar, the students visited the Carmelgiri
Botanical Garden, which is renowned for its diverse collection of
ornamental plants, medicinal herbs, spices, cacti, and exotic fruit trees. The
garden provided an excellent opportunity to study the rich flora of the Western
Ghats and understand the importance of plant conservation. Students observed
various medicinal and aromatic plants, spice crops, and ornamental species
while learning about their botanical characteristics, medicinal properties, and
commercial uses. The visit enhanced their knowledge of plant taxonomy,
horticulture, biodiversity, and the conservation of economically important
plant species.
Carmelgiri Botanical Garden
Visit
to Chocolate Factory
The
students also visited a Chocolate Factory in Munnar, where they gained
practical knowledge of chocolate manufacturing from cocoa processing to the
finished product. The factory personnel explained the stages involved in
chocolate production, including cocoa bean selection, roasting, grinding, mixing,
tempering, moulding, cooling, packaging, and quality control. Students learned
about food safety, hygiene standards, and modern processing techniques followed
in the chocolate industry. The visit highlighted the importance of value
addition to agricultural products and introduced students to career
opportunities in food processing and confectionery industries. They also had
the opportunity to observe different varieties of chocolates and understand the
significance of quality assurance in chocolate production.
Chocolate Factory in Munnar
Fruits
Farm
Students
visited a well-maintained fruit farm where various temperate fruits are
cultivated.
The farm
included crops such as:
The
farmers explained:
- Orchard management
- Irrigation methods
- Organic farming
- Pollination
- Pest management
- Harvesting techniques
- Post-harvest handling
Students
gained knowledge about climate suitability, soil fertility, and scientific
cultivation practices required for high-quality fruit production.
Jaggery
Factory
Students
visited a traditional jaggery manufacturing unit where sugarcane juice is
processed into jaggery.
Jaggery production
The
production process included:
- Sugarcane crushing
- Juice filtration
- Boiling and concentration
- Removal of impurities
- Moulding
- Cooling
- Packaging
The
factory personnel explained quality control measures, hygiene practices, and
the nutritional advantages of jaggery compared to refined sugar.
Students
understood the importance of value addition in agricultural products and rural
entrepreneurship.
Visit
to Sandalwood Forest
As
part of the educational tour to Kanthalloor, the students visited the Marayoor
Sandalwood Forest, one of the few naturally occurring sandalwood forests in
India. The visit provided an opportunity to understand the ecological and
economic importance of Indian sandalwood (Santalum album). Forest
officials explained the biology and cultivation of sandalwood, including its
semi-parasitic nature, growth requirements, and the need for suitable host
plants. Students learned about the conservation measures implemented by the
Kerala Forest Department to protect this valuable species from illegal
harvesting and overexploitation. The visit also highlighted the medicinal,
aromatic, and commercial significance of sandalwood. Its heartwood and
essential oil are widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumery,
traditional medicine, and religious practices. Students gained insights into
sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and the importance of
preserving endemic plant species in the Western Ghats ecosystem.
Overall,
the Sandalwood Forest visit enhanced the students' understanding of forest
biotechnology, conservation biology, and sustainable utilization of natural
resources, making it an informative and enriching component of the industrial
visit.
Marayoor Sandalwood Forest
Summary
of the Visit
The
industrial visit commenced on 15th July 2026 with the departure from
Kanchipuram in the evening. After an overnight journey, the team reached Munnar
on the morning of 16th July 2026.
Following
breakfast, students visited the Photo Point and Elephant Camp before proceeding
to the TATA Kannan Devan Tea Museum. The museum provided detailed information
on the history of tea plantations, tea processing technology, and plantation
management. Students observed various stages involved in tea production,
including withering, rolling, fermentation, drying, grading, and packaging.
The
visit continued to the Tea Estate, where students learned about tea
cultivation, scientific harvesting methods, pruning, irrigation, and
sustainable plantation management. In the afternoon, the team visited
Mattupetty Dam, enjoyed a boating experience, and explored Echo Point and Gap
Road View Point before returning to the hotel for a campfire and overnight
stay. On 17th July 2026, after breakfast
and checkout, the team proceeded towards Kanthalloor via Marayoor. Students
visited Lakkam Waterfalls and later explored Murugan Mala. The educational
visit continued with a visit to the Fruit Farm, where they learned modern
horticultural practices, followed by the Jaggery Factory, where the traditional
jaggery production process was demonstrated. The students also visited Honey
Rock Running View, Sandalwood Forest, and local shopping areas before beginning
the return journey in the evening. The group safely reached Kanchipuram on the
morning of 18th July 2026. The visit successfully combined industrial exposure,
agricultural learning, biodiversity awareness, environmental education, and
experiential learning, making it highly beneficial for biotechnology students.
Internship
Opportunities
During the
industrial visit, students explored potential internship and career
opportunities in the following areas:
- Tea plantation management
- Tea quality analysis
laboratories
- Food processing industries
- Plantation biotechnology
- Agricultural biotechnology
- Organic farming
- Horticulture and fruit
cultivation
- Quality control laboratories
- Environmental monitoring
- Sustainable agriculture
projects
- Research and development in
plantation crops
- Rural entrepreneurship and
agro-based industries
Students
were encouraged to pursue internships in plantation industries, agricultural
research institutions, food processing units, and biotechnology organizations
to enhance their practical skills and employability.
Educational
Outcomes
At the end
of the industrial visit, students were able to:
- Understand tea cultivation and
processing techniques, Learn plantation biotechnology and crop management
practices, Observe sustainable agricultural methods adopted in tea estates,
Gain knowledge of fruit cultivation and horticultural practices, Understand
traditional jaggery production technology.
- Appreciate biodiversity
conservation in the Western Ghats, Recognize the importance of
environmental management in plantation ecosystems, Relate theoretical
biotechnology concepts to real industrial applications.
- Develop awareness of career
opportunities in agriculture, biotechnology, and food industries, Enhance
teamwork, communication, and observational skills through experiential
learning.
Conclusion
The
industrial visit to TATA Kanan Devan Tea Museum, Tea Estate, and Kanthalloor
Fruits Farm and Jaggery Factory was an enriching and memorable learning
experience for the students of the Department of Biotechnology. The visit
provided practical exposure to tea manufacturing, plantation biotechnology,
horticulture, food processing, and sustainable agricultural practices. Students
gained valuable insights into industrial operations, quality control,
environmental conservation, and the role of biotechnology in modern
agriculture.
The
visit successfully achieved its academic objectives by bridging theoretical
knowledge with practical applications. Overall, the industrial visit enhanced
students' technical understanding, professional awareness, and appreciation of
sustainable industrial and agricultural practices, making it a highly
informative and rewarding educational experience.
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