LOCATION: DEUMAI MUNICIPALITY, ILAM, NEPAL
CERTIFIED: NASAA ORGANIC CERTIFICATION, FAIR TRADE CERTIFICATION
AREAS: 4.45 HECTARES
KEY FIGURES: 30 MT OF ORTHODOX NORMAL AND SPECIALTY TEA
TOTAL FARMERS INVOLVED IN COOPERATIVE: 172 (33 FEMALE FARMERS AND 139 MALE FARMERS)
Google Map Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jwyfMNgs256u6TtJ7
ABOUT THE COOPERATIVE
Ucchapahadi Tea Producer Cooperative Society Ltd was established on the 25th of March, 2001, by 33 members. Ucchapahadi is the Nepali word for High Hill, this name illustratesthat tea grown at Ucchapahadi is grown at high altitude. The tea gardens of UcchaPahadi are located at an altitude of 1700 –2300 meters, with beautiful sunrise views over the hills of Mt. Kanchanjunga.
The establishment of the cooperative and the collective selling of green leaf tea was not the ultimate solution to the problems that the tea farmers were facing. To strengthen the positions of tea farmers in the tea value chain, Ucchapahadi established a tea processing factory in 2018.
The cooperative is processing following high quality teas:
- Orthodox black tea, orthodox green tea, Specialty tea like: white tea (silver needle, white peony),golden tea (golden needle, pearl golden)
CERTIFICATIONS
The cooperative is selling their tea to the local and international market and is organically certified by the CERES Organic Certification Agency from Germany.
Tea farmer Miss Bimala Rai, member of Ucchapahadi tea cooperative said: “Before tea cultivation, we used to cultivate large cardamom. However, we faced many problems regarding our livelihood due to the low production caused by various diseases.So we started tea plantation rapidly as it is a sustainable cash crop. Before, we were selling tea to local processing factories on an individual base. We faced many problems like delay in payment and experienced a low bargaining power. After I joined Ucchapadaditea cooperative it is very easy to sell our tea through the cooperative and we receive ourpayments on time.”
“Achieve and develop a prosperous society through organic tea farming.”Ucchapahadi Tea Producer Cooperativeorganised an organic tea farming awareness programme in 2007 by which it became the first COC (Code of Conduct) certified cooperative in Nepal. The first organic certification was received in 2009. The cooperative is also conducting various programmes to strengthen the capacity of their member (such as technical training on tea cultivation, cooperative education, organic production methods and training on financial management). The cooperative is also involved in providing savings and credit services as well as in the provision of soft loans to their members.
Fair Trade certification :
Fair Trade certification is a system that aims to ensure that producers in developing countries receive fair prices for their products, while also promoting sustainable farming practices and ethical labor conditions. Here's how it generally works:
Certification Standards : Fair Trade certification sets specific standards that producers must meet to earn the certification. These standards cover various aspects such as fair prices, decent working conditions, community development, and environmental sustainability.
Fair Prices: One of the key features of Fair Trade is ensuring that producers receive a fair price for their goods. This price is typically set to cover the cost of sustainable production and provide a living wage to workers.
Social Premium: Fair Trade often includes a social premium, which is an additional sum of money paid on top of the selling price. This premium is used to fund community development projects, such as building schools or healthcare facilities.
Environmental Standards: Fair Trade certification encourages environmentally friendly farming practices. This may include promoting organic agriculture, minimizing the use of pesticides, and conserving natural resources.
Worker Rights: Fair Trade standards protect workers' rights by ensuring safe working conditions, prohibiting child labor, and supporting gender equality.
Certification Process: Producers must go through a certification process conducted by Fair Trade organizations or certifying bodies. This process involves inspections, audits, and compliance checks to ensure that the standards are being met.
Fair Trade Label : Products that meet Fair Trade standards can display the Fair Trade label. This label helps consumers identify products that have been produced ethically and sustainably.
Overall, Fair Trade certification is designed to create a more equitable and sustainable trading system, benefiting producers in developing countries by providing them with fair wages and fostering better working conditions and community development. Consumers who choose Fair Trade products support these efforts and contribute to a more ethical global marketplace.
Quality from the Himalayas trademark :
Nepal's orthodox tea has received its own trademark, 157 years after the country began cultivating it. This trademark is expected to help Nepal brand and market its tea internationally, addressing an identity crisis that has plagued it for over a century. A trademark essentially involves registering a brand name, granting the legal right to prevent others from using the same or a similar brand. This serves as a defense mechanism to protect the brand from losing its reputation and can increase in value as an intangible asset. Ucchapahadi Tea Producer Cooperative Society Ltd has also received the NEPALTEA QUALITY FROM THE HIMALAYS Trademark.
