India-FAO to launch organic tea project

India is in the final stages of launching a project for organic tea under the aegis of the Inter-Governmental Group of the UN-based Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

The $1.6 million project is to be funded by another UN body, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC). The formal launch is likely to take place in mid-September, here. It coincides with a growing interest in tea as a wellness beverage the world-over.

Under this project, which would have three components, India would evolve a package of farm practices which conform to organic tea cultivation. Towards this end, 100 hectares each have been given to three tea estates in Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu, in Darjeeling district in West Bengal and in Upper Assam.

Each of these estates will remain attached to a research association with which it will coordinate over the three year tenure of the project. The research bodies which will be associated are: Tea Research Association, the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre and the United Planters’ Association of Southern India.

These estates will try out three models ? uproot the entire gardens, rejuvenate it or convert existing bushes into organically cultivated ones.

Thereafter, the institutes will come out with a package of farm-practices, which will then be standardised for application to all organically grown teas. As part of the project, a uniform system of certification would be evolved through empanelment of Indian agencies.

The Tea Board would take the responsibility of empanelling agencies whose people would be trained in overseas schools for this purpose. This would replace the present system of a plethora of international agencies providing this certification.

The project also envisages conducting a worldwide study on demand for organic tea for both black and green tea. It may be mentioned that China had already launched an FAO scheme for green tea.

However, although India does produce some organic tea, especially in Darjeeling (where 50 per cent production is stated to be through organic methods) conversion to this manner of tea production on a large scale may not be very smooth. It would need an attitudinal change as well as absorption of higher costs by at least 25 per cent.

Of course, there is scope of passing this on to customers who might not mind it at all if it assures them a clean cup of their favourite morning brew which will not leave behind either any leaves or residues.

The Hindu