International Tea Day

Every year, on May 21, the United Nations observes International Tea Day. The resolution to celebrate International Tea Day was adopted in 2019 by the United Nations food and Agriculture Organization.

History

The International Tea Day is being celebrated since 2005 in major tea producing countries of the world namely Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, Malaysia, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania. It aims to draw the attention of citizens, governments about the impact of global tea trade.

Objective

The main goal of the day is to promote sustainable production of tea and increase awareness in fighting poverty and hunger.

Intergovernmental Group on Tea

The Intergovernmental Group of Tea operating under Food and Agriculture Organization proposed the concept of International Tea Day in 2015.

Sustainable Development Goals

The tea production helps to achieve the following goals

• Goal 1: Reduce Poverty
• Goal 2: Fight Hunger
• Goal 5: Empowerment of Women
• Goal 15: Sustainable use of Terrestrial Ecosystems

Significance

Tea Production is sensitive to climate changes. Tea can be produced only in agro-ecological conditions. There are very limited countries that produce tea.
Therefore, the tea producing countries must integrate the climate challenges along with their tea production. This is the main objective of celebrating International Tea Day.

India

India is the second largest tea producing country after China. Also, India is the largest consumer of tea in the world. India consumes around 30% of global tea output.

Motto

The International Tea Day is celebrated on the motto, “Harnessing Benefits for all From Field to Cup”. This is not the theme of the day. This is the motto under which the day is celebrated every year.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2021