The good climatic conditions prevailing in this region at an elevation of around 1000 meters above sea level enable the production of good quality teas. It’s not just the teas which impress us but also the efforts of the management to unify sustainability and social aspects into successful commercial agricultural production. Around 6,000 persons are engaged by the garden, the good working conditions pay dividends.
Interview with Mohit, owner of the tea garden
The history and development of this tea garden has really impressed us. We paid another visit to Mozambique this year and spoke to the owner about his pet project.
Mohit, you come from an Indian family that has for been many generations tea planters in Assam. What brought you in 2017 to take over an overgrown and neglected tea garden in Mozambique?
“We already had a branch operation in Kenya and it was from here that we explored Mozambique. A portion of the garden was operational, but the greater part was abandoned. We saw the potential and decided to invest.“
What is the total extent of the garden in Mozambique?
“The total extent is in excess of 7,000 hectares. An area of around 2,560 hectares is under tea, 500 hectares are planted with Citronella, we have around 1,000 hectares of Eucalyptus forest, 300 hectares are used as grazing land for our cattle and the rest is uncultivated.”
Why was it important for you to convert the entire extent to organic production given the regulations and restrictions involved?
“Organic plantations worldwide are threatened by their neighbouring plantations where conventional practices are followed and chemical inputs are used. To provide absolute security we decided to convert the entire 7,000 hectares we own into an organic zone and thereby to eliminate the possibilities or dangers of any cross contamination. We also wanted to harness the economies of scale and offer consumers the world over access to sizeable volumes of organic teas.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced with this project?
“Our biggest challenge has been the training of the workers and providing them with the skills required for organic farming. When you leave behind the chemical world the manual work increases.”
You have developed this garden into the world’s largest continuous organic tea garden, you implemented Fairtrade and many other social benefits for your workers and the local population in general, such as the building of a school, providing drinking water points, an ambulance as well as medical clinics. What are you planning next?
“Now that we are USDA/NOP, EU organic, JAS, RA and Fairtrade certified, we will work towards Regenerative Organic and Carbon Neutral certifications. The health of the soil and the environment are very important aspects that we are working towards, we want to set new standards in sustainable tea farming. For future independence and to generate electricity from regenerative sources we are working on a hydro-power project.”
The conditions on this garden produce wonderful teas, which of them is you favourite?
“We produce all types of green, oolong, white, orthodox leaf and CTC teas. Our teas have a blend of flavour and body, people of all ages love the taste and intricacies of our teas. I would say our white and green teas belong to the world’s best, my colleague Avi calls it Cha Verde.”
Outstanding tea qualities from Mozambique
From this innovative tea garden we import the complete spectrum of teas from Green and Black teas in different grades and qualities. A speciality in the Black tea category is the Monte Metilille OP Organic, and a special tip is the extraordinary White tea, Monte Metilille White Tea Organic.
Mozambique Monte Metilile OP Organic tea (Item 00451)
This organic certified black tea speciality from Mozambique is a real insider tip. The tea is characterized by a finely rolled and wiry leaf. The high proportion of golden tips makes the tea a real feast for the eyes. In contrast to the Assam, it is characterised by its fine notes and a mild cup.
Mozambique Monte Metilile Weißer organic tea (Item 00452)
An organic certified white tea, that is characterised by a light cup colour and a pleasantly fruity aroma. A tea, which is so completely untypical for the origin Africa. Its long, thin-wire leaves with many silver tips are more reminiscent of a speciality from China.
An innovative tea garden with a success story
The formerly overgrown tea garden from long ago was recultivated in 2017 with much perseverance and a consistent focus on sustainability and gradually converted to organic farming – with great success. Today, the garden has achieved its ambitious goal of attaining organic and Rainforest certification for the entire production volume. Moreover, all of the qualities produced by this tea garden are also available with a Fairtrade certificate.
The tea garden has invested the Fairtrade premium in social provisions for the employees. To provide better care during medical emergencies for the approximately 6,000 employees on the garden, the company purchased its own ambulance.
Water collection points with fresh water have already been expanded into spring wells at 20 locations around the garden to allow employees access to fresh water, and more are to follow.
Another social project is the construction of a new school, which is already being implemented.
Plans are also in place for the garden to establish its own hydroelectric power supply system so it can use sustainable energy sources and be more independent.
