Farmers – Our Backbone

Everyone has a purpose in their life. Something that they wake up for each day. For our farmers, working at our coffee estate is more than just an occupation. They are an integral part of our family.

Farmers of Mattel Estate are indigenous people, hailing from various tribes in and around Wayanad. An innate connection with nature has been deeply rooted in them for generations.

There is an unspoken understanding among them, an intuitive ability to gauge the tiniest changes in the weather. They could take one look at the sky and know it is about to rain. They could take one glance at a cherry and know whether it’s ripe or not. Taking care of the estate is something that comes naturally to them.

They nurture the young coffee plants like their own children, from the time they are saplings. They watch them sprout green berries which turn a rich, dark shade of red with the passage of time. It is after a long wait that the best time of the year arrives- harvest season!

The winter season brings with it the fruit of everyone’s hard work. Together, they work in perfect harmony as they pluck coffee berries. It is like a festival, an annual celebration; and the feeling of euphoria is palpable! Their fingers move deftly, as they go about each task joyfully, with a melody on their lips. Singing folk songs, they celebrate in unison. 

With each harvest, they reach a step closer to fulfilling our dreams. This is their livelihood- the means of their sustenance, as well as a brighter future for their families. It is the culmination of relentless efforts by countless people.

Our farmers have taught us that nature is what sustains us all throughout our lives, every waking moment- from the air we breathe and the water we drink, to the crops that fill our stomachs. Hence, we do our bit each day, to give back as much as we can to them. Our farmers have been our backbone from the beginning, and will always continue to be.