Tea Sector Stakeholder Consultation Session: Sustainable Development Practices, Challenges and Solutions

29th November 2019 , @ 09.00 AM

BACKGROUND

The Indian tea sector is the second largest tea market after China and as per FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), India and China will drive global tea production and consumption over the next decade. This brings to fore the concern of understanding whether the Tea Sector in India has adopted or are in the process of adopting Responsible Business Practices which are in-line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Violation of Sustainability Standards is a concern in the Tea Sector today: Studies 1 have indicated violation of sustainability standards in various Indian tea companies including ones with Registration Authority Certificates. These include violation of labor laws, inadequate provision of sanitation and health facilities for the people working in the estate, women's safety, and poor living conditions among many other socio-economic concerns. About 60- 70% of women work in tea estates across the country.

It has been iterated on various global platforms that India’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will greatly contribute to the global success of SDGs by 2030. Given the large share Indian Tea production has in the international market, promoting adoption of Responsible Business Practices which promote Sustainability in the Tea Sector is integral towards achieving the SDGs in India