How we make Organic Tea at Deniyaya in Sri Lanka United Organic Tea Agriculture Associa;on
Organic Tea Project in Deniyaya Since 2011, in Deniyaya, Matara, Sri Lanka, this organic tea project has been commenced. Twenty five farmers started to convert their tea farming from conven;onal to organic prac;ce in 2011. At March 2015, more than 60 farmers are member of United Organic Tea Agriculture Associa;on (Eksath). Why Organic? 1. Expand Ruhuna tea market with Organic Tea to improve tea small farmres livelihood; 2. Protect Sinhalaja Forest; 3. Reduce the health risk of consumers and farmers by chemical input.
Where we are Sinharaja Forest Keeriwelagama Keeriweladola Batayaya Deniyaya Eleva;on from 400m to 600m Southern Province Name of Village Popula/on No. of members Keeriwelagama 2008 15 Keerieladola 2172 38 Batayaya 1958 10
Sinharaja Forest Sinharaja forest is recognized World Heritage Site with its rich biodiversity and endemic species. But, it has been degraded by logging, expansion agricultural field.
Main Support by Program 1. Provided knowledge and training for organic farming. 2. Distributed cows to make compost which improve soil fer;lity. 3. Supported to get organic cer;fica;on 4. Connected farmers to the market 5. Organized the farmers group and develop their organiza;onal capability 6. Promoted organic farming in the community
Regular monitoring of tea field; guiding our member to keep farming record by staff Exposure Visit to TRI in Talawakale; Lecture to maintain nursery
Baby cow from distributed one Farmers can get milk and addi;onal income from selling milk. Our member showing his compost to Prof. Subasinghe from Ruhuna Univ.
Field inspec;on for JAS organic cer;fica;on
Tea leaf collec;on Members tea are collected and sent to Nilmini factory weekly. Quality check for members supplying leaf
Monthly mee;ng of Eksath Organiza;onal development training
Environmental seminar for Batayaya school children Environmental research by members
How to organic Chemical Fer;lizer v Apply organic compost v Add plants which can supply nitrogen in the soil v U;lize NON chemical and locally available resources to balance in the soil Animal waste is used to make compost Compost made by our member
Chemical Herbicide v Weed control is done by hands (Once the soil fer;lity is improved, soil becomes soe and weeds can be removed easily). v Natural mulch, such as banana leaf and branch of glricidia can control weeds. Other Important Points v Maintain biodiversity with mix cul;va;on. v Keep farming record for effec;ve maintenance. v Keep the quality for leaf with appropriate prac;ce, such as plucking. Mix cul;va;on with cinnamon, black pepper, coconuts, and so on.
Monthly Produc;on / Acre (Kg) 300kg 250kg 200kg 150kg 100kg NON ORGANIC ORGANIC 50kg 0kg 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 2014 2015 Monthly Produc/on / Acre (kg)
Monthly Value / Acre (Rs.) Rs.25,000 Rs.20,000 Rs.15,000 Rs.10,000 NON ORGANIC ORGANIC Rs.5,000 Rs.0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 2014 2015
Marke;ng Support With the support by organic tea factory, Nilmini Estate (Pvt) Ltd, around 400kg/month is produced by Eksath. PARCIC Tokyo has been selling Eksath s tea as the fair trade product in Japan since 2013. PARCIC s Fair Trade Earl Grey Tea won the social products award 2014 in Japan with its impact on society and environment.
Trading Process of Tea General process in Sri Lanka Fresh Leaf Factory Pay for Leaf (packed, blended, and other value added) Auc/on (Broker) farmers Pay for Money Exporter Company Pay for Customers Pay for Eksath and PARCIC (Current with fully intervene) Sevalanka Eksath (Organic provide Exporter Farmers Group) Pay for Leaf capacity build Fresh Leaf Leaf & Pay for Processing SRI LANKA Factory Processed Processed Tea Company Pay for Packing & Expor;ng Export TOKYO Customers Fair Trade Pay for
Eksath, Sevalanka and PARCIC (Future with Independence of Farmers Group) Eksath (Organic Farmers Group) Sevalanka will provide capacity build, strengthening part Fresh Leaf Factory Exporter Company Export Pay for Pay for Based on Trust Rela;onship, PARCIC will ensure long term trading, producers social, economic, environmental welfare. Eksath will con;nue to offer quality tea with organic farming to PARCIC. Pay for Leaf Sell as Fair Trade Customers
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