Sri Lanka’s Jetwing expands organic tea footprint
Daily FT: Jetwing acquired the Uva Ben Head Tea Estate in Welimada in 2022 with a mandate to produce premium artisanal teas while safeguarding the environment through organic farming and biodiversity conservation.
The Uva Ben Head Estate, a 100-acre expanse previously reliant on inorganic farming methods, is undergoing a transformative journey under Jetwing’s guidance. The estate is now a beacon of organic farming, with Jetwing introducing mixed cropping and phasing out chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
The estate management has been committed to eliminating the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides through a phased reduction since acquisition in 2022, with the final application of these chemicals occurring in August 2023. The transformation includes the production of organic liquid fertilisers, composting, and the planned introduction of biochar. Additionally, the estate is optimising water usage through rainwater harvesting.
To inform future decisions, the estate is conducting comprehensive soil and leaf analyses in collaboration with the Tea Research Institute. Furthermore, a biodiversity survey is being undertaken, led by University of Colombo Zoology and Environment Sciences Department Head Prof. Devaka Weerakoon, to evaluate the impact of organic farming and to develop strategies for resource optimisation and biodiversity enhancement.
Jetwing’s vision extends beyond agriculture to community development. The estate supports a vibrant community of over 300 individuals, providing employment opportunities and comprehensive training programs. Health initiatives and financial assistance programs reflect Jetwing’s commitment to the well-being of its associates and their families.
Currently, the harvested tea leaf is sold to third-party processors; however, plans for an on-site tea processing facility are underway, promising to enhance quality control and minimise environmental impact. The company’s circular approach to sustainability is further exemplified by initiatives that support dairy farming among estate residents, fostering a symbiotic relationship between agriculture and animal husbandry.
Nestled within the estate are the Jetwing Uva Ben Head Villa and Jetwing Welimada Villa, two homely planter’s bungalows, offering guests an immersive experience in Sri Lanka’s renowned tea country and providing employment opportunities for the local community. These villas are a testament to Jetwing Hotels’ esteemed reputation for providing serene retreats that harmonise luxury with nature.
The acquisition of the Uva Ben Head Estate and its subsequent conversion to organic cultivation represents a strategic expansion of Jetwing’s involvement in the tea industry. The estate complements the company’s inaugural venture, producing organic artisanal teas at Jetwing Warwick Gardens in Ambewela.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tea industry is on a growth path with local authorities focused on revitalizing the industry in order to push for Sri Lanka tea to regain its top slot in the international market. Sri Lanka tea, better known as Ceylon Tea in the international markets, has shown a positive growth in the foreign markets. The many trade agreements and trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many foreign countries have also helped boost the local tea exports. The local authorities meanwhile have introduced various incentive programmes to promote tea companies to uplift their plantations while also encouraging the replanting of trees in some dormant tea estates. The local export authorities meanwhile continue tea producers engaged in tea exports to focus on more value addition and expand the tea product portfolio to the international market. It is in such a backdrop that Jetwing is looking at producing sustainable, artisanal teas. The expanding trends in the foreign market for such products would ensure a good market for it. With the many promotional campaigns being carried out in foreign markets to promote new export commodities, Sri Lanka’s tea industry shows a steady growth with a growing business potential that has been further strengthened by strong trade ties. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tea industry.