Picture: Farmer adding goat Manure as fertilizer for tea plant at an artisan farm
The Reality of Organic Production
Let’s start with a simple question: How much of the world’s food is produced organically? If you guessed around 2%, you’re spot on. The definition of “organic” might vary depending on who you ask, but the core idea remains the same—organic food is produced without man-made chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or insecticides.
Now, let’s dive into what this means for tea, especially in Nepal.
Nepali Tea Industry and the Organic Challenge
Nepal’s tea industry has a rich history, almost as old as its neighbor, India. However, it didn’t really take off until the late 1970s. With the Nepal government’s push and a few wealthy entrepreneurs joining the trade, tea farming in Nepal began to grow. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that things really started to change with the "Small Farmers Revolution."Inspired by the booming Darjeeling Tea industry, many small farmers in Nepal, facing financial struggles due to failing crops like cardamom and ginger, decided to try their hand at tea farming. Fast forward to today, and the eastern hills of Nepal are home to over 20,000 tea farmers. This shift has transformed the lives of many, lifting thousands out of poverty.
But here’s where things get tricky. Out of the 130 tea producers in Nepal, only about 10% of their tea is organic. Fewer than 20 estates have organic certification. While many small farmers practice organic farming, getting official certification is often out of reach due to the high costs involved. This is a huge challenge for these small producers, as organic certification is crucial for gaining access to global markets and ensuring their teas meet international standards.
The Struggle for Recognition
Unfortunately, around 90% of Nepali tea is sold to India, where it’s blended and sold under the “Darjeeling Tea” label. This benefits the Indian economy but does little for Nepal’s tea industry. Without the infrastructure to test for pesticides and insecticides, Nepali tea struggles to stand on its own in the global market. Organic certification could eliminate the need for chemical testing, opening up new opportunities for these small farmers.In recent years, Nepali teas have started to gain recognition worldwide, thanks to various sellers promoting their unique flavors and high quality. However, only a few of these sellers are truly committed to supporting the small artisans and farmers who grow this tea. What these Nepali artisans need is more than just recognition—they need help getting their farms organically certified.
Nepal Hills Tea's Commitment to Organic Farming
This is where "Nepal Hills Tea" steps in. Founded in Canada with a mission to support underrepresented small artisans, Nepal Hills Tea aims to showcase the best loose-leaf teas from Nepal—whether it’s black, green, or white tea—and help these farmers gain organic certification. With certification, even if they sell their tea to Indian brokers, these farmers can earn a better price, which in turn means more income for the small farmholders.Our “Organic Drive” program pledges to donate 5% of our annual revenue to support small artisans in obtaining organic certification. This program will run until 2035, and our goal is to help at least five farms achieve organic certification by then. By supporting organic tea farming, we’re not just helping farmers—we’re ensuring that you, our customers, get the best organic teas at the same great prices.
How You Can Help Nepali Tea Farmers
You might be wondering, “How can I make a difference?” It’s simple: by choosing to buy our products, you’re not just enjoying high-quality Nepali tea at affordable prices—you’re also contributing to a cause that supports organic farming. When you buy our teas, you’re helping small farmers get the recognition and fair prices they deserve.Our promise to you is that our prices will remain firm until 2026, so you can enjoy premium teas without worrying about rising costs. Together, we can support the Nepali tea industry and help it thrive.
Let’s join hands in this journey to support Nepali artisans and the organic tea farming movement. And to the tea traders out there capitalizing on Nepali teas, we urge you to develop similar programs that directly support these underrepresented artisans. Let’s make sure our funds are properly utilized to make a real impact.
Are you ready to support organic tea farming?
