Impacts of private sustainability certification on practices of tea production in Tamilnadu, India

Walter J.V. Vermeulen and Just D. Dengerink

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2016, vol. 17, issue 1, 45-82

Abstract: Private standards increasingly play a major role in creating sustainable practices in international trade relations. This paper presents the results of an impact study in tea produced for export in India and it compares a group of certified tea estates with non-certified farms. It aims to determine changes in time and differences between the two groups. The study reveals differences between certified and non-certified tea suppliers. These are partly rooted in a longer history of the certified farmers. The study shows that certified farms have a better economic performance and produce ecological and social benefits. Still their practices face some major challenges for the near future. The study also reveals that a part of the control group farms may be receptive for a move towards complying with standards set in the international market. It also discusses limitations of what private standards can achieve, especially in the area of socio-economic impact and living wages.

Keywords: private sustainability certification; tea production; India; value chain; sustainable production; private standards; voluntary sustainability standards; tea exporting; sustainable development; certified tea estates; non-certified farms; socio-economic impact; living wage. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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