The government has launched the “Ceylon Tea Village” programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s smallholder tea sector while targeting tea export earnings of US$2.5 billion and finished tea production of 400 million kilograms by 2030.
The programme was introduced to Members of Parliament at a special briefing held in Parliament on Wednesday (24), chaired by Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna.
Implemented by the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure together with the Small Tea Estates Development Authority, the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI), the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the National Institute of Plantation Management, the programme aims to establish 500 tea villages across the country.
The initiative seeks to increase green leaf yields, improve smallholder incomes, introduce value-added tea products, integrate tea cultivation with tourism, promote sustainable farming practices, develop infrastructure in selected tea-growing villages and establish tea producer cooperative societies.
Addressing the event, Minister Vidyarathna said 144 tea villages are scheduled to be established during 2026, adding that the selected locations were identified through scientific and technical assessments conducted by the Tea Research Institute and the Small Tea Estates Development Authority without political interference.
He said the inaugural launch of the Ceylon Tea Village programme is scheduled for July 15, with the first phase covering 144 tea villages across 14 districts.
The minister added that the programme is expected to improve the quality and quantity of tea production while enhancing the economic wellbeing of smallholder tea farmers and supporting the country’s 2030 tea industry targets. (Newswire)
The post Govt launches ‘Ceylon Tea Village’ programme to strengthen small tea growers appeared first on Newswire.