TSHDA with Solidaridad drives Sri Lanka in low-carbon, regenerative tea value chains
Daily FT: In a major step towards transforming Sri Lanka’s smallholder tea sector, the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority (TSHDA) and Solidaridad, in partnership with Regenagri, Control Union, and Nucleus Foundation, concluded a two-day capacity building workshop on Regenagri standards for tea extension officers.
Held on 23 and 24 April at the TSHDA Hantana Training Centre in Kandy, the programme brought together over 50 participants from eight regions which represent all tea-growing areas in Sri Lanka. Participants included TSHDA Senior Tea Inspectors (STIs) representing all sub-offices (which are pivotal points of technology dissemination), extension officers of the selected tea factories under the ‘Pivithuru’ national initiative factory-based extension program, and selected progressive tea smallholder farmers.
The training forms part of the TSHDA’s flagship ‘Pivithuru’ national initiative, which seeks to enhance tea quality, productivity, and sustainability across the smallholder value chain. Regenerative agriculture has been identified as a key strategy to restore soil health, improve yields, and build climate resilience in collaboration with smallholder societies and private tea factories.
TSHDA Chairman Nimal Udugampola said: “This workshop is part of our ‘Pivithuru’ national initiative to improve tea quality, productivity, and sustainability through a value chain approach. This marks the first time regenerative agriculture is being systematically introduced to Sri Lanka’s tea sector through an institutional approach. If implemented with rigour and commitment, this initiative has the potential to become a historic milestone—enhancing tea quality, building sustainability and resilience in the tea smallholder sector, and positioning Sri Lanka as a global leader in low-carbon, regenerative tea value chains.”
To support this transition, the training introduced Regenagri — the world’s largest regenerative agriculture certification standard—developed, owned, and managed by Regenagri C.I.C, a community interest company headquartered in the UK and operating globally. Regenagri provides a science-based, economically viable framework that aligns with the TSHDA’s sustainability goals, helping smallholders prepare for certification while improving their access to sustainable supply chains and premium export markets.
The objective of the program was to equip extension officers with the knowledge and tools to guide smallholders in adopting regenerative practices across the tea value chain. Participants were trained on field-level assessments, explored certification requirements, and developed rollout plans tailored to their regions.
Solidaridad Asia Managing Director Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay said: “Regenagri certification is not just the world’s first and only carbon in setting standard for regenerative agriculture—it represents a transformative pathway for smallholder farmers to enhance climate resilience, unlock new income streams, and access future-ready global markets. We are proud to partner with the TSHDA in positioning Sri Lanka as a pioneer in decarbonised tea production through regenerative practices, setting a powerful precedent for sustainable agriculture worldwide.”
Control Union Sri Lanka Country Director Roshan Ranawake said: “This program bridges sustainability and certification readiness. Regenagri enables producers to meet growing global demand for traceable, climate-smart products—while monetising their efforts through carbon in setting and premium positioning.”
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s expanding economic activities and overall economic expansion have all resulted in the growth of key economic sectors in the country. However, there is an increase in business/investment opportunities in the agri production sector given the growing demand for agriculture products that follow GAP (good agricultural practices) concepts and Regenagri standards to meet the demands of the fast-evolving global agriculture industry. These concepts are specifically focused on the tea industry, which is on a steady growth path while working to regain the top slot in the international market once enjoyed by Ceylon Tea. All these are indicative of the growing business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tea industry and related sectors. With Sri Lanka’s tea showing an increase in prices in the foreign markets, the growth and business potential of the local tea industry could be grasped by foreign businesses/investors. Apart from these growing opportunities, the expansion programmes undertaken by local tea businesses also present business/investment opportunities by way of expanding operations through partnerships or joint ventures. The many incentive schemes offered by the Sri Lankan government to the tea industry and the many trade agreements and trade concessions enjoyed with other countries have all added to the attraction of Sri Lanka’s tea industry as a growing business venture in the country.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250430/Z_2 |