Sustainability push: Tea Board urges strict food safety compliance; new code promotes eco-friendly pest control and worker welfare
Releasing its new Plant Protection Code (PPC), the Board said adherence to food safety norms would not only protect the plantation ecosystem but also ensure the welfare of tea workers and small growers, PTI reported.The updated PPC promotes sustainability through good agricultural practices, including integrated pest management (IPM) and the use of alternative pest control measures to gradually reduce chemical dependence.“Large-scale adoption of integrated pest management from the very beginning of the season will be crucial in ensuring food safety and adequate crop protection,” the Tea Board said in a statement.It noted that consumers are increasingly demanding products that are safe and environmentally responsible.
“Given this situation, there is a need for a judicious usage of plant protection formulations,” the Board added.The PPC provides detailed guidelines for the safe use of plant protection chemicals in tea cultivation.
Compliance, it said, would help improve the competitiveness of tea estates while ensuring conformity with national and international regulatory standards.The Board highlighted that India’s tea-growing regions face climatic conditions conducive to pest infestations, which cause annual crop losses of 15–30%.
Maintaining yield and quality, therefore, requires careful pest management aligned with safety standards.“The use of plant protection formulations in a safe and controlled manner is essential for maintaining yield and the quality of tea leaf production,” the Board said.
