In Nepal’s eastern hills, where tea bushes adorn terraced mountainsides, farmers who once struggled alone have found their collective voice.
The Central Tea Cooperative Federation (CTCF) has been the driving force of this transformation. From a modest farmers’ collective, CTCF today serves as a national umbrella organization, uniting over 101 primary tea cooperatives across 14 districts and supporting approximately 8,500 farming households. Through this unity, small farmers are empowered to strengthen their voices and improve their livelihoods.
Just a decade ago, Nepal’s tea farmers were at the mercy of middlemen, struggling with unstable markets and outdated farming practices. Today, through CTCF’s leadership, these same farmers are running their own processing facilities, exporting certified organic tea to Europe, and setting new standards for sustainable agriculture in the Himalayas.
A focus on Fair Trade
Through the Fair trade, CTCF Nepal is promoting social and economic movement which aims to promote ethical and sustainable trade practices in tea sector. CTCF Nepal ensures that small holder tea farmers and workers, receive fair price and wages, work under decent workplace conditions, and have access to resources that improve their livelihoods.
CTCF ensures Fair Prices and Wages, Safe Working Conditions, Environmental Sustainability, Empowerment of Producers, Direct Trade and Long-Term Partnerships, Community Development, Transparency and Accountability while producing, processing and marketing of tea.
The Federation’s commitment to quality and sustainability has earned international recognition. Two member cooperatives – Tinjure Tea Producer Cooperative Society and Uccha Pahadi Tea Producer Cooperative Society – have achieved Fair Trade certification and now export their products to European markets.
These certifications represent a fundamental shift in how Nepali tea is produced and traded, ensuring better prices for farmers and safer working conditions for workers.
The C2C business model
This transformation did not happen overnight. Through strategic initiatives and unwavering dedication, CTCF has systematically addressed the challenges that once plagued Nepal’s tea farmers.
A cornerstone of their success has been the innovative Cooperative-to-Cooperative (C2C) business model, which eliminates costly middlemen by enabling cooperatives to trade, process, and market tea products directly within their network.
Capacity building
CTCF is also dedicated to empowering youth in the tea sector. The Federation encourages young people to participate in agriculture by offering training and leadership opportunities. Many youths who had previously left their villages are now returning, inspired by the prospects of modern farming and tea entrepreneurship.
The story of CTCF is also one of gender transformation. Women, who have always been the backbone of tea cultivation, are now taking their rightful place in leadership. Female cooperative managers are introducing new perspectives on everything from sustainable farming practices to market development. Their success is inspiring a new generation of women to see tea farming not just as labor, but as a path to entrepreneurship and leadership.
Capacity building is another critical area of impact for CTCF. Recognizing that knowledge is essential for progress, the organization regularly conducts training sessions on modern tea farming techniques, including pruning, skipping, and organic pest control.
These educational efforts have enabled many cooperatives to transition toward eco-friendly and sustainable tea production, which is increasingly vital in the face of climate change. As one farmer noted, “We’re learning from each other as much as from our trainers.”
Environmental stewardship
Environmental stewardship stands at the heart of CTCF’s approach. Farmers are trained in organic pest control methods and sustainable farming techniques that protect the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. The “Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalayas” trademark has become a symbol of this commitment to quality and sustainability, helping position Nepali tea in premium international markets.
Climate change adaptation has become another crucial focus. CTCF helps farmers implement innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems. These initiatives aren’t just about survival; they’re about building resilience in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Pest management is approached through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which utilizes nature’s own defenses rather than harmful pesticides. Additionally, CTCF provides guidance on soil and water conservation to help farmers preserve these vital resources.
CTCF recognizes that sustainable farming alone is insufficient; farmers must also have control over their post-harvest processes. Therefore, the Federation supports its members in establishing tea processing factories within their communities.
With training in branding, packaging, and direct marketing, cooperatives are now able to eliminate middlemen and secure fairer prices. These rural tea hubs have become engines of local economic growth, allowing farmers who once struggled to thrive and contribute to their communities.
Advocacy and policy work
CTCF is also actively engaged in advocacy and policy work, lobbying for farmer-friendly policies, improved infrastructure, subsidies, and recognition of tea as a vital sector in Nepal’s rural economy. By representing its members on national platforms, CTCF ensures that farmers’ voices are heard in decision-making processes.
The entity also promotes and supports its member cooperatives in achieving various national and international certifications to ensure sustainable and ethical tea production.
These include Organic Certification, which guarantees that tea is produced without harmful chemicals and in harmony with nature; Rainforest Alliance (RFA) Certification, which ensures environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and fair treatment of workers; and Fair Trade Certification, which focuses on empowering farmers through better trading conditions and social equity.
Additionally, CTCF support to get government quality assurance quality trade mark the “Nepal Tea Quality from the Himalayas” trademark, a national branding initiative that highlights the unique quality, flavor, and origin of Nepali tea grown in the pristine Himalayan region. These certifications collectively help enhance market access, promote responsible production, and uplift the livelihoods of smallholder tea farmers across Nepal.
Some cooperatives, such as the Kanyam Tea Producers Cooperative, Tinjure Tea Producer Cooperative Society and Uccha Pahadi Tea Producer Cooperative Society have taken significant strides, achieving Rainforest Alliance Certification, Fair Trade certification and organic certification- a global acknowledgment of their commitment to sustainable farming and fair labor practices.
Vision for the future
Looking ahead, CTCF’s vision extends beyond Nepal’s borders. The Federation is actively building partnerships with markets in the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Japan.
Through collaboration with international organizations like UNDP and UNFPA, and coordination with local, provincial, and federal governments, CTCF is ensuring that the voices of smallholder tea farmers resonate in policy-making processes.
The future vision for agricultural development, as envisioned by CTCF Nepal, is to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural system that uplifts rural communities, particularly smallholder tea farmers.
The Federation aims to strengthen and expand its network of farmer-owned cooperatives, transforming them into fully capable enterprises that not only produce but also process, market, and export high-quality tea in national and international market.
By increasing access to training, technology, and finance, CTCF empowers farmers to adopt climate-smart and eco-friendly practices that protect natural resources while enhancing productivity.
“Our journey has only begun” the Federation maintains, “but we’ve proven that when farmers unite, they can transform not just their own futures, but the future of an entire industry.” As climate change poses new challenges to agricultural communities worldwide, CTCF’s model of collective action, sustainable practices, and farmer empowerment offers valuable lessons for rural development far beyond Nepal’s tea-covered hills.
Outsized impact
The impact of CTCF’s work extends far beyond economic value. In communities where tea farming once meant subsistence living, there’s now a sense of pride and purpose. The Federation’s capacity-building programs have transformed traditional farming practices, introducing modern techniques while respecting generations-old wisdom.
As climate change threatens agricultural communities worldwide, CTCF’s model offers a blueprint for resilience, as the organization sees agriculture not just as a means of survival but as a respected, secure, and thriving profession that drives social and economic transformation in Nepal’s rural hills and valleys.
Through collective action, education, and advocacy, these highland farmers are shaping a new future for Nepal’s tea industry.
Contact:
Central Tea Cooperative Federation Limited (CTCF) Nepal
Ilam-9, Shera, Koshi Province, Nepal
Website: https://ctcf.org.np/
Email: ctcfnepal@gmail.com/ctcfnepal@yahoo.com
(Special thanks to Rabin Rai, General Secretary , CTCF Nepal, for sharing insights about the cooperative’s work.)
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