India FAO's 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."

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