Nayun Tea Project

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The farmers in the tea project live in Menglian County, an area which is 98% mountains where 100,000 people support their lives by primarily growing coffee, rice, rubber, sugarcane and tea. The tea project is being developed among 21 natural villages. A majority of the people living in the villages earn less than the world poverty level of $US1.00 per day. The majority of the farmers belong to the Dai, Lahu and Wa ethnic groups.

As a result of growing the tea and having the products exported overseas, the lives of the tea farmers will greatly improve. With an increase in income, their children will be able to receive a higher education, there will be an increase in job opportunities and the general health and well-being of the community will be improved.

The tea project is being implemented in cooperation with the Xingjian Pu ErTea Development Company (Xingjian). The manager, Mr. Xu Tianjian, a fifth generation tea producer, is a young innovative business man who is strongly motivated to incorporate Fair Trade practices into his company and has already initiated the first steps towards Fair Trade Certification.

In 2007 Xingjian produced 150 tons of green tea and production capacity is expected to rise to 800 tons by 2010. The company is currently establishing organic tea fields and has begun the application process for OCIA International Organic Certification.

Over the years, Xu’s contribution to the local area has won a very high recognition from the people and the Chinese government. In 2005, he received “The National Top Ten Young Farmers” award.