Sustainable tea agriculture and ecotourism: integrating organic farming, eco-processing, and community-based tourism for resilient livelihoods

Abstract: The paper is a critical analysis of the synergetic association amid the elements of sustainable tea farming and ecotourism as a means of environmental protection, socio-economic, and cultural sustainability in tea producing areas. It discusses organic and biodynamic farming practices, innovative processes and packaging that are eco-friendly and the new paradigm of tea tourism as an instrument of sustainable livelihoods. The paper relies on interdisciplinary literature on agroecology, environmental economics, and sustainable tourism to depict the concept of ecological integrity and community empowerment in a conceptual framework. Empirical studies are summarized in a systematic review which focuses on the best practices, challenges and gaps in policy. The paper ends by giving ten evidence-based recommendations that should be taken into consideration by policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities to build a regenerative tea economy that is consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Goal 8 (Decent Work), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). 

Keywords: Biodynamic production, community lives, organic tea production, sustainable packaging, tea tourism

Post Time: 3 months ago