Meet Vimala Morchan, a small tea grower owning two acres of an estate in the village of Beragani in the Kotagiri taluk of the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu, is an exemplary farmer.

Coming from a hamlet tucked far away from the headquarters of Nilgiris district, grew up in a humble background working from a very early age helping her mother in all activities in the field and house.

Of late, her name keeps reverberating throughout the district, lauding her relentless efforts put in the last 8 years. Makes Speciality Teas of Green, Black, Oolong and White. She stands apart from others in the knowledge she had gained in making Tea Ball, Tea Cake and Tea Bullet.

You know, her one piece of Tea cake serves 100 cups. With a small land holding of 2 acres, she prefers plucking from specific 500 tea bushes alone and continue to do the same, except when orders pour in.

She could not continue with her endeavours for a few years due to unstable situation in the family. With encouragement pouring in from well wishers, tea board officials and horticulture dept staff she once again kick started her work. They not only encouraged her but gave her small orders.

Now she has atleast 5 kg of stock to dispatch on orders. She visits the weekly organic market at Coonoor on Saturdays and Ooty on Mondays where she sells few packets gaining repeated customers. She is offered with free stalls by both Tea Board and Horticulture dept when any program comes up.

It does not end here, she has now learned the art of making teas which is blend with Lemongrass, Rosemary, Panner Rose, Tulasi, Time and Orange peel.

Her teas are tagged ranging from 2000 to 10000 / kg. She is all set to scale up her business.

The village people had made her the ward member in the panchayat, she runs a society sourcing and supplying tea leaves.

She also finds time, when requested, to serve her village people with speciality tea with an icing of passion and love.

Vimala’s efforts to promote sustainable farming and handmade teas have won her awards and certificates from Tea Board India , Tamil Nadu’s Horticulture Department and Solidaridad the India International Small Tea Growers’ Conference in Kolkata.