In a significant technological step forward for the plantation sector, and in a first, a tea company has begun using drone-based transport to move freshly harvested green leaves from tea fields to weighment centres and processing factories in Kerala’s Idukki.

According to company officials, trials for the drone transportation system were successfully conducted at the Lockhart Estate, operated by Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML) near Devikulam in Munnar. Established during the British era, Lockhart is one of the region’s oldest tea plantations.

HML vice-president Anil George confirmed the successful trial of the payload drones. “For the trial phase, we used bags weighing 12 kilograms, which was a big success. Following these positive results, we plan to deploy drones with a carrying capacity of 40 to 50 kilograms. The drones can carry the load five to 10 kilometres,” Mr. George said.

Faster transfer

This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with technology partner Tropoworks, aims to streamline field logistics, boost productivity, minimise manual handling, and ensure faster transfer of green leaves to the factory.

Mr. George noted that tractors are currently used to haul tea leaves across estates. “Fuel costs for vehicles are rising. By adopting drone technology, we can cut fuel expenses and speed up leaf transport,” he explained.

He added that the tea sector faces mounting challenges, including acute labor shortages and low market prices. “Technological integration is essential for the smooth functioning and survival of the plantation industry. We are already utilising drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides,” Mr. George said.

‘Major milestone’

Officials claimed this is a first for the tea industry. “Adopting drone technology for leaf transport is a major milestone. HML was among the first large plantation companies in India to digitally transform operations, introduce 100% battery-operated harvesting, and extensively deploy drones for both tea and rubber management. Today, all our estates rely on drone-assisted systems for crop protection and field operations,” Mr. George added. “We will continue working closely with tech partners, drone operators, and AI specialists to accelerate innovation across our plantation business.”

Industry experts agree that labour scarcity threatens the long-term sustainability of tea estates. “The younger generation is reluctant to take up plantation work, forcing many estates to rely on migrant workers for 20% to 40% of their workforce. Given the low price of tea, cost reduction is the only way for plantations to survive. The new technology adaptation is a positive step to ensure the sustainability of the plantation sector in future,” an industry source stated.

Published - July 25, 2026 08:16 pm IST