Sri Lanka’s leading plantations embark on carbon and market-ready future with Solidaridad and regenagri

FIVE of Sri Lanka’s most respected plantation companies, Elpitiya Plantations PLC (Aitken Spence Group), Kelani Valley Plantations PLC, Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, Horana Plantations PLC (Hayleys Plantations), and Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon, a leading premium tea producer, have signed landmark Memoranda of Understanding ( MoUs ) with Solidaridad Network Asia and its Sri Lankan partner Nucleus Foundation to adopt the regenagri standard and implement a comprehensive carbon insetting program across their estates.

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The MoUs were signed during a visit by a senior delegation of Solidaridad tea experts, including; Solidaridad Asia Managing Director, regenagri C.i.C Chairman and Asia Tea Alliance Convenor Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay, with over two decades’ experience shaping global sustainability standards, Solidaridad Global Lead for Tea Programs Ranjan Circar, with over 50 years in plantation management, certification, and sustainability policy, world’s oldest and largest tea auction house J. Thomas & Co., former Chairman and MD and veteran tea industry leader Krishan Katyal, and Solidaridad General Manager — Program Systems and Coordination Ramanand Tiwari, who led India’s Sustainable Tea Initiative, covering over 60% of the national industry.

Solidaridad has supported Sri Lanka’s sustainable agriculture and plantation sector since 2008, working closely with industry stakeholders to advance sustainability standards. Today, its work with the agriculture and plantation sectors focuses on promoting regenerative agriculture as a pathway to higher productivity, improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, water conservation, and agroforestry — with a strong focus on smallholders. These initiatives contribute directly to the Government of Sri Lanka’s priorities for poverty alleviation, the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ program, and national digitalisation goals.

Additionally, through this partnership, the sectors have benefitted from the introduction of modern bio-digesters, providing clean cooking gas and nutrient-rich biofertiliser to farmers, as well as innovative, low-cost digital, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and agri-tech tools such as hyperlocal weather stations, soil testers, and leaf scanners. The programs further promote inclusive participation through a dedicated app for women farmers, supporting farm-level decision-making and improved market access.

MoUs with transformative impact