Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, but unsustainable farming practices in both small-holdings and large plantations has seen a dramatic degradation in the quality of water and soil – leading to a loss of biodiversity as well as a loss in income for farmers dependent on the tea sector.
In a holistic programme with a number of partners, we are working to increase farmer’s incomes and protect and restore biodiversity.
The different project threads include:
Conversion to organic agriculture
In a Private Public Partnership (PPP) with the Dutch government and Both Ends, we are working with small holder farmers in Baddegama and the Calsey Tea Estate community in Nuwara Eliya to convert their lands over to organic. This will not only give them a higher value product, but will also increase quality of life by improving the local environment through a reduction in chemical pollution and an increase in biodiversity.
Income diversification
As part of the PPP project in Baddegama, we are promoting a range of livelihood opportunities to help stabilise farmer incomes in times of fluctuating markets. As well as organic tea, strategies include:
- Provision of cows, whose milk can be used
to supplement household nutrition and sold on the local market as fresh milk or yoghurt.
- Training in processing garden produce, such as fruits and vegetables, into value added products such as chutneys.
Hand rolled tea
To add further value we are working with Rainforest Tea Gardens of Sri Lanka to research and develop high-quality, hand-rolled black and green teas. By purchasing the tea from small holders involved in the PPP programme, and working with community members to process it, we can help build long-term livelihood opportunities. The tea is earmarked for sale on both local and international markets.
Tea factory
The Italian organisation GVC are further supporting the tea community in Baddegama by providing funds to build a tea factory. A safe and fully equipped environment in which to process and store tea is an essential step in enabling the community to add value to their produce, rather than just selling the tea leaf on the local market, for the lowest prince in the value chain. Once completed, the factory will be used to produce hand-rolled tea.
School programme
To help build environmental awareness within the Baddegama community, one of the local schools is participating in our Rainforest Ranger programme, which provides fun, practical opportunities for students to learn about the environment. It aims to give children a positive connection to their natural heritage, empower them to take conservation actions and become advocates for environmental conservation in their schools and communities.
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