📈 Sri Lanka Launches 'Ceylon Tea Village' Program to Hit $ 2.5 Bn Export Goal by 2030

The Government will launch its flagship 'Ceylon Tea Village' initiative on 15 July in Kotmale, Nuwara Eliya, targeting massive structural growth in the tea sector by 2030. • Key Targets by 2030: Raise annual tea production to 400 million kilograms. Increase export earnings to US$ 2.5 billion (generating an additional US$ 1 billion). • Program Scale & Implementation: Total Scope: Aims to establish 500 cluster tea villages island-wide. Phase 1: Commencing in 144 tea villages across 11 districts, selected scientifically by the Tea Research Institute (TRI) and Tea Small Holdings Development Authority (TSHDA). • Sector Context & Smallholder Impact: Smallholder tea growers account for roughly 75% of Sri Lanka's total tea production, making them central to this national growth strategy. Currently, 95% of Sri Lanka's tea production is exported, with only 5% consumed domestically. • Strategic Focus Areas: Improving smallholder incomes through higher productivity. Promoting value-added tea products and integrating cultivation with tea tourism. Introducing modern, sustainable agricultural practices and upgrading village infrastructure. Establishing cooperative societies to drive community participation.