Women Driving Ceylon Tea

sri lankan worker plucking tea leaves from ceylon tea estates

Women have long played a vital and indispensable role in the smallholding tea sector of Sri Lanka, which stands as the country’s second-largest source of export revenue. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately 75% of the nation’s tea is cultivated by small-scale farmers who manage family-owned estates spanning up to 10 acres. This significant participation of women in regions like Pambadeniya, located in the Kandy district, is evident in their active involvement in tea plucking and the maintenance of their own tea plots. Despite the challenges they face, various organizations, including the Women Home Garden Society, are striving to enhance productivity and promote sustainable land management practices within the smallholding tea sector.

Since 2010, initiatives such as the Rehabilitation of Degraded Agricultural Lands Project (RDALP) have been instrumental in imparting training to women in sustainable land management practices. This knowledge not only holds the promise of fostering more sustainable and productive tea cultivation methods but also empowers women within the smallholding sector. By equipping them with these skills, women experience economic empowerment and improved livelihoods, paving the way for a brighter future.

Despite the progress made, economic factors, especially in the wake of the pandemic, have significantly impacted many small tea growers. The sustainability of tea production in Sri Lanka is a cause for concern due to various factors. One such challenge is the shortage of labor in these regions, primarily resulting from migrations and shifts in employment patterns. Additionally, the allure of more profitable forms of agriculture has led to the replacement of tea with alternative crops. Of greatest concern is the fragmentation of tea estates, as they are sold for property development, further threatening the industry’s stability.

Sri Lanka is still in the process of recovering its pre-pandemic levels of tea production. While there has been a gradual increase, the rate of growth year-on-year falls short of the desired goals. Given this context, it becomes crucial for government organizations to proactively reach out to women leading smallholding tea estates. Collaborating independently or with the support of international organizations, these government entities can provide the necessary assistance and support needed for the sustained growth and development of women in the sector. Such efforts are vital in ensuring the resilience and prosperity of the smallholding tea industry in Sri Lanka.

Source: FAO

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