The future of the global tea industry depends on improving the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers who sustain production worldwide, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
In a statement marking International Tea Day on 21 May, FAO Markets and Trade Division Director Boubaker Ben-Belhassen said although global tea production continues to rise, the farmers behind the industry face growing economic and climate-related pressures.
“Smallholder producers need better access to finance, markets, technology, and climate adaptation support calibrated to their realities,” he said.
The statement notes that smallholders account for around 60 percent of global tea supply, with countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda and Sri Lanka relying heavily on tea exports to support rural livelihoods and national economies.
According to the FAO, climate change, declining real tea prices, limited market access and rising production costs are making it increasingly difficult for farming families to sustain their livelihoods.
Ben-Belhassen also stressed the important role women play in tea production, saying targeted investment and training for women can strengthen both households and communities.
International Tea Day is commemorated annually on 21 May to highlight the importance of tea production and its contribution to livelihoods and sustainable development.
#MBCDigital
#Manthu
