The Confederation of International Tea Smallholders (CITS) has relocated its headquarters to India from China for the next four years, marking a significant achievement for small tea holders. The decision was made during the 25th session of FAO IGG on Tea in Guwahati. Assam.
Smallholders play a crucial role in the global tea sector, constituting 70% in area and 60% in production. Addressing the issues faced by this sector is vital for the long-term viability and health of the tea industry. The decision to move Confederation of International Tea Smallholders to India reflects the acknowledgment of the prominence of small tea growers in the country.
During the session, it was highlighted that both the Government of India and the Assam government have invested significantly in the development of the small tea growers sector, with a dedicated R & D Centre underway at Tocklai.
The Confederation of International Tea Smallholders was established during the 22nd session of FAO IGG on Tea in Nairobi to provide a platform for the development of policies and solutions to strengthen the global tea smallholder sector. It aims to act as a convener, catalyst, and source of reference to improve the consistency of tea policy-making globally.
Nearly 2.5 lakh small growers in India contribute 46% of the country’s tea production. Having the Confederation of International Tea Smallholders headquarters in India is expected to synergize efforts at the federal and state levels, along with the Tea Board of India, to bring global best practices for small tea growers.
Joydeep Phukan, Secretary of Tea Research Association, Tocklai, and Coordinator FAO IGG on Tea, emphasised the importance of the move, stating that it would help integrate the produce of small tea holders into the global supply chain.
Former Tea Board India chairman PK Bezbaruah expressed hope that the Tea Board would provide support to Confederation of International Tea Smallholders, and initiatives would be taken up.
Bijoygopal Chakraborty of the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (CISTA) welcomed the development, highlighting that it would showcase India’s efforts for small tea growers and address the issues faced by the sector.
India has taken over as the Chair of the FAO IGG on Tea for the next two years. The working group on smallholders, consisting of members from Indonesia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Malawi, aims to develop an open-access platform for consumers worldwide to generate a sustainable price for tea based on its origin and production dynamics.
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The objective is to create awareness among consumers worldwide about purchasing tea at a sustainable price, considering different production styles and dynamics within the supply chain, including smallholders.
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