What problem or need is the project addressing?
The tea industry is critical to the Indian economy: India is the largest producer and consumer of tea in the world and the tea industry provides employment for more than 2.5 million farmers and workers.
Traidcraft Exchange's work in the tea industry was prompted by a crisis caused by a dramatic fall in tea prices. Those worst affected have been plantation workers and small growers; the crisis has seen the closure of tea estates that employ thousands of workers, and of factories to which small growers might sell.
The crisis has devastated communities whose livelihoods depend on growing tea. Many growers and workers are unable to find work, children have stopped going to school and people are starting to despair in the face of mounting debt. For many, lack of food and water has led to starvation, malnutrition and even death.
What is the project doing?
Traidcraft Exchange has developed a comprehensive project to ensure the long-term welfare of tea growers and workers.
The project is supporting them to develop sustainable livelihoods by:
- organising tea growers into self-help groups;
- identifying new market opportunities;
- providing business support; and
- lobbying to improve legislation in the industry.
Working with communities to develop a collective voice is vital so they can negotiate with buyers and policy-makers and demand their rights to a fair price and vital social services.
What impact has the project had?
The project has already made substantial progress. Tea growers have been organised into self-help groups to help them access technical training and to collectively negotiate with buyers. So far 92 self-help groups of tea growers have been established covering 3762 small tea growers.
When we designed the project tea growers were receiving about 3 rupees perkilogram of green leaf but they are now receiving between 8-10 rupees per kilogram.
This is partly due to technical improvements (the growers have received technical training and are now growing a better quality of leaf) but also to improved relationships between growers and the factories to which they sell.
Our project will benefit 230,000 tea growers and 30,000 tea workers, as well as their families.
Our local partner
Traidcraft Exchange is implementing this project with CEC (Centre for Education & Communication). CEC has a strong background in labour rights and works with all relevant stakeholders in the Indian tea industry.
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID).
