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:

• Peach
• Strawberry
• Pear

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.