The Nilgiris: The impact of COVID-19 on the economy has forced many homemade chocolate manufacturers in Ooty to become coolies in markets.
The Nilgiris: The impact of COVID-19 on the economy has forced many homemade chocolate manufacturers in Ooty to become coolies in markets.
Ooty ( Udhagamandalam) is the darling of all tourists who come to Tamilnadu. There are various places and features that attract tourists and homemade chocolates from Ooty is one among them.
Unlike other chocolates, homemade chocolates cannot be made in other places in Nilgris district except Ooty. This is mainly due to the climatic conditions that prevail in Ooty.
Homemade chocolate manufacturing comes under the cottage industry sector in which more than 4,500 people are employed.
The 'COVID-19' outbreak followed by the lockdown implementation has pushed this industry sector into deep distress. All industries have been closed down affecting the livelihood of the manufacturers and workers. Many of the chocolate manufacturers have thus turned to various jobs and many have become Coolies in markets and labourers in agriculture fields.
One of the homemade chocolate manufacturers in Ooty, Mohammad Rishalath said, "In the beginning only three or four industrialists were involved in manufacturing homemade chocolates. Whereas now there are 600 manufacturers and more than 4,000 retailers who are involved in this business. The climatic conditions are most suitable only in Ooty and hence the chocolate manufacturing cannot be done even in Coonoor. Using freezer or fans will not help as fungus might be formed. Hence Ooty is the only best suited place to manufacture homemade chocolate in the entire Nilgiris district.”
“There are totally 55 varieties but only 10 varieties are sold more near the boat house, garden and various other commercial places. During season, each day on an average Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 worth chocolates will go out from each factory. During off season also, each day a minimum of Rs 5,000 worth chocolates will be sent out from the factory. The lockdown implementation has pushed the entire sector into crisis. All the factories are closed and many manufacturers have turned into coolies in markets and labourers in agricultural fields to save their livelihood temporarily”, he said.
“Since this sector comes under cottage industry most of the manufacturers have established their factories in rented buildings. Most of them do not have documents to avail bank loans.
We request the government to give special attention to this sector and provide financial help. After lockdown also this sector cannot start immediately. Hence the government should give hand holding support for a certain period", he said.
Like every other job sector, the homemade chocolate sector is hopeful of better times to come.
Ooty ( Udhagamandalam) is the darling of all tourists who come to Tamilnadu. There are various places and features that attract tourists and homemade chocolates from Ooty is one among them.
Unlike other chocolates, homemade chocolates cannot be made in other places in Nilgris district except Ooty. This is mainly due to the climatic conditions that prevail in Ooty.
Homemade chocolate manufacturing comes under the cottage industry sector in which more than 4,500 people are employed.
The 'COVID-19' outbreak followed by the lockdown implementation has pushed this industry sector into deep distress. All industries have been closed down affecting the livelihood of the manufacturers and workers. Many of the chocolate manufacturers have thus turned to various jobs and many have become Coolies in markets and labourers in agriculture fields.
One of the homemade chocolate manufacturers in Ooty, Mohammad Rishalath said, "In the beginning only three or four industrialists were involved in manufacturing homemade chocolates. Whereas now there are 600 manufacturers and more than 4,000 retailers who are involved in this business. The climatic conditions are most suitable only in Ooty and hence the chocolate manufacturing cannot be done even in Coonoor. Using freezer or fans will not help as fungus might be formed. Hence Ooty is the only best suited place to manufacture homemade chocolate in the entire Nilgiris district.”
“There are totally 55 varieties but only 10 varieties are sold more near the boat house, garden and various other commercial places. During season, each day on an average Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 worth chocolates will go out from each factory. During off season also, each day a minimum of Rs 5,000 worth chocolates will be sent out from the factory. The lockdown implementation has pushed the entire sector into crisis. All the factories are closed and many manufacturers have turned into coolies in markets and labourers in agricultural fields to save their livelihood temporarily”, he said.
“Since this sector comes under cottage industry most of the manufacturers have established their factories in rented buildings. Most of them do not have documents to avail bank loans.
We request the government to give special attention to this sector and provide financial help. After lockdown also this sector cannot start immediately. Hence the government should give hand holding support for a certain period", he said.
Like every other job sector, the homemade chocolate sector is hopeful of better times to come.