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Sustainability

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Common Fund for Commodities Helps Your Tea Project: Zoom Meeting on 23 September

Tea is the most popular beverage after water. But still small tea businesses in growing nations are challenging due to unfair profit share to the ground level. The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) has announced a zoom meeting to fund for projects which contribute to the sustainable development of the commodity sector in developing countries.

A special webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, from 14:00 to 16:00 CET to discuss on,

  1. How to prepare a project proposal?
  2. Which projects have the best chance of getting approved?
  3. What is important to know about CFC financing

To join the webinar, register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuf-utqjwsGNC7VtbMtkusyUKrcVqXK3ir

Image Credit: Masterstalk

Up on registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on joining the meeting.

For additional information, you can contact the CFC Secretariat by email: OPENCALL@COMMON-FUND.ORG

About CFC

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) – an intergovernmental organization under the auspices of the United Nations, provides a range of financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by enterprises, cooperatives and institutions along the entire commodity value chain in its member countries. These activities cover all segments of the value chain (including production, processing, financing, marketing etc.). This includes services and support functions, that help all participants in the process of value generation to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of its poorest participants at the bottom of the pyramid.

The Agreement Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities was negotiated in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 1976 to 1980 and became effective in 1989. The first commodity development project was approved in 1991.

More About CFC: https://www.common-fund.org/

View More Tea News + Articles: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

  1. Main Source: https://masterstalk.online/2020/09/17/get-support-for-your-tea-project/
  2. CFC Official Website: https://www.common-fund.org/
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Nipun Wisnagalage
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World’s First Plastic-Free, Non-GM & Unbleached Tea Bag

Clipper Teas (http://www.clipper-teas.com/), an ethical tea brand owned by Wessanen UK, has developed the world’s first plastic-free, non-GM and unbleached heat-sealed tea bag.

 

 

Clipper’s new tea bag is the result of an extensive period of detailed trials and material sourcing. Clipper never used or considered using PLA, a material used by other manufacturers, in the past as it usually derives from corn which may be from GM sources. Guided by its organic principles, Clipper Teas is committed to being GM-free and therefore took time to develop a solution that fully aligned with the principles of the brand and was guaranteed to be from non-GM sources.

Every Clipper heat-seal tea bag now produced in Wessanen UK’s Dorset-based tea factory will made from a natural plant-based material; a blend of abaca (a species of banana), plant cellulose fibres and PLA – a bio-polymer derived from non-GM plant material that helps hold the paper together.

This newest innovation from Clipper Tea is driven by brand owner Wessanen UK’s wider mission to be connected to nature and minimize its environmental impact.

Emma Vass, CEO at Wessanen UK, says:

“We believe in making ethical and sustainable choices and want to provide the best products for both our consumers and the world we live in. Having worked tirelessly to find a completely natural, non-GM solution, it is fantastic to see the new tea bags now in full production. As a brand, Clipper is all about the joy that comes with each and every cup of tea – and we believe the purest joy comes with a clear conscience.”

Rebecca Vercoe, Clipper Teas brand controller at Wessanen UK, adds:

“We are incredibly proud to be the first tea brand to introduce a plastic-free tea bag that’s also non-GM and unbleached. Guided by our founding principles of natural, fair and delicious, we have always strived to do the best we can for people and the planet. Now we’ve created and implemented a plastic-free bag, we won’t be going back.”

To avoid unnecessary waste, there will be a transition period while retailers and venue operators sell through existing stock. However, any products now produced are guaranteed to be made with the innovative new tea bag paper. To let consumers know about the change, an on-pack flash will be rolling out on specific products from January 2019.

Committed to producing tea that is fair and great-tasting, the pioneering tea brand was the UK’s first Fairtrade tea company and also the first to use unbleached bags. With a strong environmental focus, Clipper is also a certified carbon neutral company.

From its home in Dorset, Clipper manufactures an extensive variety of organic and Fairtrade teas and coffees – from everyday blends to green tea and infusions. Clipper is now the world’s largest Fairtrade tea brand and exports its products to over 50 countries worldwide.

References

1. Original News:

Clipper celebrates world’s first plastic-free, non-GM and unbleached tea bag

2.

Sustainability

 

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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SUSTAINABILITY FOR CEYLON TEA INDUSTRY

Ceylon tea is recognized by one of the finest tasting teas in the world. But currently the industry is facing many obstacles due to loosing traditional markets and increasing cost of production. Below are some of my views / suggestions conveyed to TEA (Tea Exporters Association) in order to be discussed at the NATIONAL TEA SUSTAINABILITY DISCOURSE meeting with His Excellency the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on 15th of August 2018. I have hidden some points since those are matters to be sorted out internally rather than going international. Below are certain points that I am willing to share with you all for the betterment of “Pure Ceylon Tea”.

1. Strengthen the interaction among government related organizations

Innovative products like “Tea Wine” developed by Sri Lanka Tea Research Institute should be promoted effectively by organizations such as Sri Lanka Tea Board / Export Development Board in the international market. Finding them business partners to develop those products is also equally important. Proper dissemination is a key to the success in the world market.

2. Focus more on less costly marketing tools such as social media.

Maintaining a page itself won’t do. Regular interaction and updates are vital to strengthen the relationship with stakeholders. Professional medias like LinkedIn are highly recommended. In addition to those Facebook, Twitter etc. are also vital to uplift the image of “Pure Ceylon Tea” all over the world due to the popularity of those tools.  This strategy won’t bring instant results, it’s a long term process to develop the profile / good image of the trade.

3. Passion and dedication of Tea professionals

Even till the recent past, planters and other Tea professionals were so passionate on Tea and considered to be an honor for being a part of this trade. For example a planter / superintendent always lived in the estate and concerned a lot on the quality and productivity. Nowadays the same passion can’t be seen from young professionals.

4. Encourage Sri Lankans living abroad to start Tea business & promote Ceylon Tea

Government institutions like Sri Lanka Tea Board should educate and encourage Sri Lankans living overseas to start Tea business by introducing small scale suppliers and by giving them examples of entrepreneurs who also do the same. This strategy not only promotes Ceylon Tea, but also helps to fetch some foreign revenue to the nation. Education sessions can be arranged parallel to Tea Board’s international trade fair participation.

5. Follow strategies to attract more talented professionals in to Tea

More highly skilled marketers, engineers, Agriculturists etc. should be attracted to the trade in order to make a brighter future for Ceylon Tea.

6. Develop High End Supreme Ceylon Tea Producing Zones

For instance, Nuwara-Eliya Tea growing region (situated at the highest peak) consists of few estates like Pedro, Court Lodge, and Kenmare etc. which produce good quality Ceylon Tea with a unique character (Learn more: http://www.teawithnipun.com/2018/07/26/champagne-of-ceylon-tea/). Encouraging Seedling replanting instead of VP (Vegetative propagated) cultivars, educate to produce specialty Teas and other conventional grades like BOP / BOPF / Pekoe. Finally assist them to invest on a Vacuum packing machine which preserves the unique flavor and character of Nuwara-Eliya Tea and encourage direct exports out of factory to foreign buyers in smaller volumes.

By the meantime, it’s equally important to take measures to minimize the cost of production specially at the plantation sector which is a separate topic to be discussed.

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