While there has been increasing demand from in developed countries for organic tea, a recent study published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), found that this rise in demand is only one motivational factor for tea farmers to convert to organic production. The study asked 196 tea farmers in Nepal who had converted to organic tea farming in the past five years what their motivations were for the transition to organic. The interviews revealed that in additional to economic benefits from organic premiums and increased market prospects, the awareness of environmental benefits was an important motivational factor. Those farmers who had transitioned to organic tea production were conscious of the public health benefits and overall environmental sustainability of using organic farming methods. The researchers suggest that to help increase organic tea production in developing countries, policymakers should include training that increases awareness of environmental, health and economic benefits of organic production.  

Banner Photo Credit:  Aniketh Kanukurthi; unsplash.com