The government will officially launch the “Ceylon Tea Village” national programme on July 15 at Halgolla Hapugasthalawa in Kotmale, Nuwara Eliya District, with the aim of establishing 500 cluster tea villages across Sri Lanka.
Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne said the first phase of the programme will begin in 144 tea villages spread across 11 districts.
The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, aims to increase Sri Lanka’s annual tea production to 400 million kilograms and boost tea export earnings to US$2.5 billion by 2030.
The programme will be implemented under the guidance of the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tea Board and the National Institute of Plantation Management.
Speaking on the initiative, Minister Vidyaratne said Ceylon Tea has long been one of Sri Lanka’s most recognised export brands, renowned worldwide for its quality and flavour.
He said the establishment of 500 tea villages is expected to significantly increase tea production, generate an additional US$1 billion in export earnings and strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder tea growers while contributing to the national economy.
According to the Ministry, around 95 percent of Sri Lanka’s tea production is exported, while only 5 percent is consumed locally. Smallholder tea growers account for approximately 75 percent of the country’s total tea production.
The programme is also expected to increase the income of smallholder tea farmers, promote value-added tea products, integrate tea cultivation with tourism, encourage modern and sustainable farming practices, improve infrastructure in identified tea villages, and establish cooperative societies for tea growers.
