📈 Digital Resource Centres Launched to Modernise Sri Lanka’s Tea Smallholder Sector

The Tea Smallholdings Development Authority (TSDA) officially received new “Regenerative Agriculture Digital Resource Centres” to accelerate the modernisation and sustainability of Sri Lanka's smallholder tea sector. • Key Objectives: The initiative aims to drive a qualitative transformation by equipping smallholders with modern knowledge on regenerative agriculture and sustainable cultivation. It will fast-track the transfer of scientific research from the Tea Research Institute (TRI) directly to farming communities. • Digital Transformation: The centres will leverage digital tools and social media to improve communication with growers, reduce reliance on print media, and establish efficient feedback loops. They will also serve as "Training of Trainers" hubs to build technical capacity. • Strategic Alignment: The project aligns with global shifts toward climate resilience, sustainable farming, and digital supply chains in export-oriented sectors like tea, which is vital for national employment and foreign exchange. • Locations & Backing: Established at the Hanthana Training Centre, the TSDA head office, and the Walahanduwa regional office, the project was launched alongside the 6th Asian Tea Alliance. It received full financial and technical backing from international organisations Solidaridad and the Nucleus Foundation.