Sahyadri Tea Farmers Consortium 

‘The health of my family has improved since we started the organic farming, we have less coughs and spend less on medicines. Although we still have to walk a kilometre every day for water the quality is better. We eat fruit and vegetables more and drink milk from our cow’.

Mrs Ansamma Matthews, model farmer, Sahyadri Tea Farmers Consortium

The Sahyadri Tea Farmers Consortium in a joint venture with The Sahyadri Organic Tea Factory. Located in the Idukki district on the edge of the Western Ghats, east of Cochi in the State of Kerala in southern India.

The consortium is 1200 member strong community of small and marginal farmers. Formed under the auspices of the Peermade Development Society (PDS), an NGO promoted by the Catholic Diocese of Kanjirapally, the consortium collectively adopted organic farming as the method of cultivation.

With research input from premier institutions of the Government of India like the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Bio-Technology, as well as from various other government and non-government agencies, the consortium embarked on an eco-friendly, farmer-centered agri-business that has revolutionised tea cultivation in the country.

Producer focus

Ansamma Matthews is a small farmer who lives in four rooms with her husband Joseph Mathews and two of her children. Ansamma is a model farmer in her area and helps nearby farmers develop organic techniques. She also uses the biodynamic techniques which enhance plant growth and create healthier soils with good moisture retention.

Working with the consortium and being a member of the project has enabled everyone to work more in harmony with each other. There is much better co-operation, and the farmers will meet to exchange ideas and try to solve problems together.

During the two peak cropping periods they know they have somewhere to sell their tea. Don’t have to sell to agents or even dump it if they can’t find a buyer. And they have benefited from a higher price during the peak periods.

Ansamma says that the farmers fully understand the difficulties faced by the factory and the consortium and they fully support them. Life had improved and she is keen to support the community to develop further.

The highly aromatic and full bodied teas from Ansammas farm can be found in our Fairtrade and Organic standard tea, blended in harmony with tea from our Putharjhora partners.