Ceylon Tea – Climate and Profit per Hectare of Tea – Part 2

Seedling tea, also known as clonal tea, is a type of tea that is grown from genetically identical plants that are propagated from a single parent plant. It has the potential to be beneficial in mitigating the impacts of climate change for several reasons:

• Climate adaptation: Seedling tea plants are genetically identical, meaning that they are more resistant to disease and pests and can adapt to changing weather conditions better. This makes them more resilient to the impacts of climate change such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures.
• Water conservation: Clonal tea plants have a higher water-use efficiency than traditional tea plants, meaning that they require less water to grow. This is important in regions where water resources are becoming scarce due to climate change.
• Carbon sequestration: Clonal tea plants have a higher growth rate and biomass production than traditional tea plants, which means they can sequester more carbon from the atmosphere. This can help to mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
• Reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides: Clonal tea plants are more resistant to disease and pests, which can reduce the need for chemical inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. This can help to reduce the environmental impact of the tea industry, which is important in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

It's worth noting that the use of seedling tea as a method to mitigate the impacts of climate change is still ongoing research and more studies are needed to fully understand its potential and its limits. Additionally, the benefits of seedling tea will depend on the specific region and the overall sustainability practices adopted by the tea industry.

The profit per hectare in Sri Lankan rupees possible per annum for the tea industry can vary widely depending on a number of factors such as the type of tea being grown, the location of the farm, the quality of the tea, and the overall efficiency of the farm.

Factors such as weather conditions, labor costs, and fluctuations in global tea prices can also greatly impact the profitability of a tea farm. Additionally, the profitability of a tea farm can be affected by the use of sustainable farming practices, which can reduce costs and increase yields.

According to the data from the Sri Lanka Tea Board, the average profit per hectare per annum in Sri Lanka is around 2 million Sri Lankan rupees. However, this can vary greatly depending on the factors mentioned above. High-quality teas grown in regions with favorable weather conditions and with efficient farming practices can generate higher profits, while lower-quality teas or teas grown in regions with less favorable conditions may generate lower profits.

It's worth mentioning that the profitability of a tea farm is not only linked to the yield per hectare but also to the global tea prices, which are subject to change depending on the market demand and supply.

There are several actions that can be taken to increase the profit per hectare to 500,000 Sri Lankan rupees per annum in the plantations of Sri Lanka:

• Improving yield and quality: By implementing best agricultural practices and using high-quality seeds and other inputs, farmers can increase their yields and improve the quality of their tea, which can lead to higher prices and increased profits.
• Adopting sustainable farming practices: By reducing the use of chemical inputs and implementing sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation, farmers can reduce their costs and increase their yields. This can help to increase the profit per hectare.
• Diversifying crops: By diversifying the crops grown on their farms, farmers can reduce their risk and increase their profits. For example, farmers can grow different types of crops or different varieties of tea to take advantage of different market conditions.
• Value-added products: By producing value-added products such as specialty teas and tea-based cosmetics, farmers can increase their profits by capturing a higher value from their crops.
• Investing in technology: Investing in technology such as precision farming, automation, and data analytics can help farmers to improve their efficiency, reduce their costs, and increase their yields.
• Improving labor productivity: By implementing best practices in labor management and training, farmers can improve their labor productivity and increase their profits.
• Marketing and branding: By marketing their teas effectively and building a strong brand, farmers can increase demand for their teas and command higher prices.

It's worth noting that these actions require investment, planning and commitment and they may not be implemented in a short period of time. Additionally, the actions to be taken might vary depending on the specific context of the farm and region.

The profit per hectare per annum in other countries growing tea can vary widely depending on a number of factors such as the type of tea being grown, the location of the farm, the quality of the tea, and the overall efficiency of the farm.

• China: Tea is one of the most important agricultural products in China, and the country is one of the largest producers of tea in the world. The profit per hectare per annum in China can vary depending on the region and the type of tea being grown, but it is estimated to be around $3,000-$8,000 USD (around 3.2-8.4 million Sri Lankan Rupees) per hectare per annum.
• India: India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world, and the industry is an important source of employment and income in the country. The profit per hectare per annum in India can vary depending on the region and the type of tea being grown, but it is estimated to be around $2,000-$5,000 USD (around 2.1-5.2 million Sri Lankan Rupees) per hectare per annum.
• Kenya: Kenya is one of the largest producers of tea in Africa and the industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy. The profit per hectare per annum in Kenya can vary depending on the region and the type of tea being grown, but it is estimated to be around $1,500-$3,500 USD (around 1.6-3.7 million Sri Lankan Rupees) per hectare per annum.
• Vietnam: Vietnam is one of the largest producers of tea in Southeast Asia, and the industry is an important source of income for smallholder farmers. The profit per hectare per annum in Vietnam can vary depending on the region and the type of tea being grown, but it is estimated to be around $1,000-$2,500 USD (around 1.1-2.6 million Sri Lankan Rupees) per hectare per annum.

It's worth mentioning that these estimates are based on average data and can vary depending on the region, the type of tea, the efficiency of the farm, and the global tea prices which are subject to change depending on the market demand and supply.

Lalin I de Silva, Former senior Planter, Agricultural Advisor / Consultant, Former Secretary General of Ceylon Planters Society, Editor of the Bulletin and free lance Journalist.