TSHDA with Solidaridad drives Sri Lanka’s leadership in low-carbon, regenerative tea value chains

TSHDA regenagri session participants

TSHDA regenagri training

• Regenagri, Control Union and TRI lead capacity building to advance smallholder sustainability in tea sector

In a major step towards transforming Sri Lanka’s smallholder tea sector, the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority (TSHDA) and Solidaridad, in partnership with Regenagri, Control Union, and Nucleus Foundation, concluded a two-day capacity building workshop on Regenagri standards for tea extension officers. 

Held on 23 and 24 April at the TSHDA Hantana Training Centre in Kandy, the program brought together over 50 participants from eight regions which represent all tea-growing areas in Sri Lanka. Participants included TSHDA Senior Tea Inspectors (STIs) representing all sub-offices (which are pivotal points of technology dissemination), extension officers of the selected tea factories under the ‘Pivithuru’ national initiative factory-based extension program, and selected progressive tea smallholder farmers.

The training forms part of the TSHDA’s flagship ‘Pivithuru’ national initiative, which seeks to enhance tea quality, productivity, and sustainability across the smallholder value chain. Regenerative agriculture has been identified as a key strategy to restore soil health, improve yields, and build climate resilience in collaboration with smallholder societies and private tea factories.

TSHDA Chairman Nimal Udugampola said: “This workshop is part of our ‘Pivithuru’ national initiative to improve tea quality, productivity, and sustainability through a value chain approach. This marks the first time regenerative agriculture is being systematically introduced to Sri Lanka’s tea sector through an institutional approach. If implemented with rigour and commitment, this initiative has the potential to become a historic milestone—enhancing tea quality, building sustainability and resilience in the tea smallholder sector, and positioning Sri Lanka as a global leader in low-carbon, regenerative tea value chains.”

To support this transition, the training introduced Regenagri—the world’s largest regenerative agriculture certification standard—developed, owned, and managed by Regenagri C.I.C, a community interest company headquartered in the UK and operating globally. Regenagri provides a science-based, economically viable framework that aligns with the TSHDA’s sustainability goals, helping smallholders prepare for certification while improving their access to sustainable supply chains and premium export markets.

The objective of the program was to equip extension officers with the knowledge and tools to guide smallholders in adopting regenerative practices across the tea value chain. Participants were trained on field-level assessments, explored certification requirements, and developed rollout plans tailored to their regions.

Solidaridad Asia Managing Director Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay said: “Regenagri certification is not just the world’s first and only carbon insetting standard for regenerative agriculture—it represents a transformative pathway for smallholder farmers to enhance climate resilience, unlock new income streams, and access future-ready global markets. We are proud to partner with the TSHDA in positioning Sri Lanka as a pioneer in decarbonised tea production through regenerative practices, setting a powerful precedent for sustainable agriculture worldwide.”

Control Union Sri Lanka Country Director Roshan Ranawake said: “This program bridges sustainability and certification readiness. Regenagri enables producers to meet growing global demand for traceable, climate-smart products—while monetising their efforts through carbon insetting and premium positioning.”

The workshop was delivered by resource persons from Regenagri, Control Union, the Tea Research Institute (TIA), and the TSHDA, offering both technical expertise and practical field insights.

The initiative is supported by Regenagri and Solidaridad, sponsored by Control Union Sri Lanka, and organised by the Nucleus Foundation.