Tea: A pathway to Peace

Since it’s first mention in European literature in Giambattista Ramusio’s Navigatione et Viaggi in 1559 and it’s first import to Holland in 1606, tea, “the China drink”, has been an object of European desire. Men have risked their lives smuggling it, Catherine de Braganza of Portugal secured her marriage to King Charles II with it’s inclusion in her dowry, it has instigated war, revolution and the enslavement of over one million tea workers bought and stolen to tend to the estates. The transformation from Empire to multi-national business in these days of the teabag have witnessed a new kind of slavery- one rooted in low wages, poor nutrition and a lack of opportunity for tea estate workers.

But modern times are changing the course of history and the world’s love for tea is being used now to promote sustainability, education and brighter futures for tea workers and for peace.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, home of the world-renowned Ceylon teas. Here, visionary tea estate owners and exporters, like Zaki Alif at Stassen Pty. Ltd, are affording education, health care, dignity and opportunity by selling their top-quality organic teas for a premium. They are bringing together the children of Sinhalese land-owners and Tamil tea pickers in sport, to forge friendship and understanding. They are turning the world’s demand for an ethically sourced, organically produced tea into hope for a country’s widespread strife. One Sri Lankan family company, according to the BBC,”is challenging the multinational control of the global tea industry. Dilmah says it has become the third largest global tea brand by marketing its pure unblended Ceylon tea directly to the consumer in more than 80 countries worldwide…”

Similarly, in Tanzania, China, India and Taiwan, efforts are being made to instigate just and peaceful relations for the empowerment and betterment of every part of the supply chain, right down to the consumer**. Modern times have taught business that the only successful business model is a fair one. ‘Globalization”, widespread access to information and technology, is helping towards this effort.

Working alongside stakeholders in the ethical tea supply chain to maximize the positive global impact of the US $227 billion LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) market, a growing niche of shoppers willing to spend money for products that let them feel they are acting in a socially responsible fashion, is the Fair Trade Labeling Organization (FLO). Based in Bonn, Germany, FLO grants the Fair Trade certification to producers practicing ethical trade and working towards social, environmental and economic sustainability.

Fair Trade sales are rising at 33% per year globally and now total 1.1 billion GBP. The global market is predicted to reach $25 billion USD by 2020. This growth coupled with that of tea globally, provides a platform for the tea trade to pioneer a pathway to peace.

• **At the Makaibari tea estate in India, the workers have created a community load fund. Small loans have been distributed to families to address specific medical and educational needs. They also have utilized funds to support women and children’s health programs that focus on nutrition and family planning.
• On the Da Zhan Shan tea cooperative in China, tea farmers have placed an emphasis on education. A portion of the premiums have been invested in building library and computer facilities for students. Funds have also been allocated to each of the tea farmers’ children to support their enrollment in high school and university.
• At Herkulu estate in Tanzania, workers have dedicated funds to repairing dilapidated housing and constructing new village facilities, including a medical center, grain mill and food dispensary.
• The small farmers of the SOFA tea cooperative in Sri Lanka have chosen to use the premiums toward tea-quality improvement initiatives, including organic inputs and tools, which increase efficiency and production. They have also used their Fair Trade tea funds for income diversification projects such as bookkeeping and dairy cows.

Photo: A tea picker at Indulgashinna Estate, Sri Lanka fills a woven basket, which keeps the tea aerated and fresh. Extra money earned from the sale of this quality tea affords wicker baskets (100 rupees (~$1 USD) each). Plastic bags used at other estates cost only~20 rupees each. Sarah Scarborough, 2006.