Kirin Beverages and Rainforest Alliance strengthen commitment to tea sector

Kirin Beverages and Rainforest Alliance collaboration has improved tea farming practices in Sri Lanka

Kirin’s involvement in Sri Lanka fosters a mutually beneficial relationship that prioritises people and the landscapes they live and work in

• Kirin’s commitment to the people behind Sri Lanka’s tea industry is just as strong as its focus on sustainability

Kirin Beverages has strengthened its long-standing commitment to Sri Lanka’s tea industry in partnership with Rainforest Alliance by expanding initiatives that promote regenerative agriculture and empowering local communities. 

For over a decade, this collaboration has improved tea farming practices in the country and played a crucial role in environmental conservation.

 Kirin Beverages’ history with Sri Lankan tea dates to 1986, when it introduced Gogo-no-Kocha, Japan’s first plastic-bottled tea. The unique flavours and high quality of the tea leaves from Sri Lanka’s distinct regions - each with varying altitudes and climates, played a pivotal role in the brand’s success, allowing Kirin to offer a diverse and rich flavour profile. 

An Impactful Journey with Rainforest Alliance in Sri Lanka

In 2023, Kirin took a significant step forward by launching the Regenerative Tea Scorecard, which is a framework to help tea farmers in Sri Lanka transition to regenerative agriculture. This innovative framework aims to make tea farming more sustainable and climate resilient by focusing on critical areas like soil health, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and crop productivity. 

By improving soil health, farmers can grow more resilient crops that are less vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as drought and heavy rainfall. Additionally, by conserving on-farm biodiversity and restoring natural ecosystems, tea farms can better coexist with local wildlife while ensuring the long-term health of the environment. 

Watershed Conservation: Safeguarding a Vital Resource

Water is a lifeline for tea farming, and conserving water sources is critical to Kirin’s sustainability efforts in Sri Lanka. Since 2021, Kirin has contributed to Rainforest Alliance’s work to protect micro-watersheds in tea-growing areas, benefiting over 4,000 direct recipients and indirectly supporting over 15,000 people. These micro watersheds are the headwaters of rivers that provide water to most of Sri Lanka, making their conservation vital for tea farms and downstream communities. Activities like fencing of watersheds to prevent livestock incursions, planting native tree species to restore natural barriers, and educating local communities about water conservation have been vital in preserving these precious resources. By protecting these watersheds, Kirin is supporting the initiative to ensure that tea farms have a reliable water supply, even in times of environmental stress. 

Empowering Local Communities: Education and Training Programmes 

Kirin’s commitment to the people behind Sri Lanka’s tea industry is just as strong as its focus on sustainability. Through the ‘Naturalist’s Programme’ implemented with the help of Rainforest Alliance, more than 200 youth from tea estates were provided with environmental education, sparking a passion for biodiversity conservation among the next generation. These young naturalists have gained the skills to identify local wildlife species and promote environmental awareness within their communities, fostering a culture of sustainability with a lasting impact. In addition to youth education, Kirin is committed to supporting smallholder tea farmers. Over 150,000 farmers have received training in sustainable tea farming practices, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to increase productivity while protecting the environment. These programs have been essential in helping farmers transition to more sustainable practices, ensuring that both large and small farms can thrive. 

A Holistic Approach to Sustainability 

Kirin’s involvement in Sri Lanka goes beyond the commercial aspect of tea production -it’s about fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that prioritises people and the landscapes they live and work in. 

 As the tea industry faces growing challenges from climate change and environmental degradation, initiatives like regenerative agriculture and watershed conservation are crucial in creating a more resilient future. The initiatives from the partnership of Kirin and Rainforest Alliance are just the starting points of a long sustainability journey for Ceylon Tea.