Global Tea Suppliers Back Training Programme For Small Farms

Global tea suppliers are putting their support behind a new training programme to assist small-sized…

Global tea suppliers are putting their support behind a new training programme to assist small-sized farms in growing productions and improving operations.

Tata Global Beverages, Taylors of Harrogate and Unilever have all promised to back the programme, which is being run by the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (STI).

Being implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, India and Vietnam, the ETP hopes to reach 200,000 smallholders with the training scheme.

Farmers will take part in a 12-month training programme and will be encouraged to share their new knowledge with neighbouring farms.

“This is fundamental to building secure supply chains and future success,” said Sarah Roberts, executive director of the ETP.

In other ETP news, specialist tea firm Canton Tea has joined the partnership.

Founded in 2007, Canton Tea has developed partnerships with experienced artisans and tea professionals, and buys its teas seasonally and directly from the source to ensure that they are authentic, fresh and full of flavour.

While the company has expanded, it still remains true to its original principle of sourcing teas directly from small family-run farms, where the teas are grown and processed today.

“We’re pleased to welcome a leading specialist tea company to ETP,” said Sarah Roberts.

“The news highlights how the tea sustainability work we’re involved with is appealing to tea companies of all sizes.”

Canton has a trusted local buying partner, said the company.

The ETP formally endorses the company’s values, said Jennifer Wood, founder and director of Canton Tea. “We strongly support ETP’s policies and activities on climate change and their work with smallholders, and we’re looking forward to engaging with the ETP and their members on key social and environmental issues in all tea-producing regions.”