The United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI) will organise a three-day event in Coonoor from September 21 to 23 bringing together experts, policy makers, and stakeholders of the plantation sector.

Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the centenary conference of the UPASI Tea Research Foundation on September 21.

The event will mark the completion of 100 years of the UPASI Tea Research Foundation that was established in 1926 as the UPASI Tea Scientific Department.

The UPASI president, Ajoy Thipaiah, said in a press release that following the inauguration on September 21, scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and allied stakeholders will take part in an international conference to be held on September 22.

The technical deliberations will fall under four main expert sessions – sustainable tea, climate smart tea, smart tea, and new frontiers for the tea sector.

On September 23, technical sessions will be held on the topics “The Regenerative Plantation” by Sunil D. Tamgale, Scientific Agro Technologies, Chikkamagaluru; “Alternative Coffee Species: Liberica and Excelsa in Modern Coffee Industry Landscape” by Thai Dang, Founder, 96B Café & Roastery and 96B Coffee Company, Vietnam; and “Navigating EUDR: Ensuring Sustainable and Traceable Coffee and Rubber Production” by Manoj Vembu, TRST01, Singapore.

Mr. Thipaiah added that the 133rd annual conference of UPASI will be held on September 23 when awards will be presented to the winners of the Golden Leaf India Awards (TGLIA): Southern Tea Competition.

The UPASI Industrial Exhibition (Plantation Expo) will be held on September 22 and 23, he added.