TRI urges climate adaptation, Gl certification to future-proof SL tea industry

SRI Lanka’s tea industry must embrace climate-resilient cultivation and Geographical Indication (GI) certification to secure its long-term sustainability and competitiveness, Tea Research Institute (TRI) Deputy Director of Research - Production Dr. Shyamantha Bandara said yesterday.

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Speaking at a panel discussion at the “Perspectives on Geographical Indications in Sri Lanka” forum in Colombo, Dr. Bandara said the industry must modernise cultivation systems and integrate GI standards to withstand climate risks, while meeting future production targets.

“We produced around 262 million kilograms of tea until 2024, and our target is to reach 400 million kilograms. To achieve that, we need to advance technology, improve farming systems, and modernise cultivation across the sector,” he said.

He said the tea sector supports nearly 1 million people, mainly in highland regions vulnerable to changing weather patterns. "Sri Lanka has been ranked among the countries most at risk from climate change. The tea sector is already facing production declines due to shifting rainfall patterns," Dr. Bandara noted.