The United Nations(UN) International Tea Day is annually observed across the globe on 21st May to promote the production and consumption of tea across the globe and to create awareness about the significance of tea in combating global poverty and hunger.
- The day is observed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) in collaboration with other relevant organisations.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/74/241 on 19th December 2019 and proclaimed the 21st May of every year as the International Tea Day.
ii.The first ever UN’s International Tea Day was observed on 21st May 2020.
History of Tea Day:
i.Prior to the UN’s resolution ‘International Tea Day’ has been celebrated on 15th December since 2005 by the tea-producing nationals like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India and Tanzania.
ii.The first International Tea Day was held in Delhi, India in 2005
In 2015, the Indian government proposed the FAO expand this day globally.
About Tea:
Tea is one of the main important cash crop in many developing countries.
- Tea is an aromatic beverage produced by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.
- Tea is believed to be originated in northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China.
- The production and processing of tea is the main source of livelihood for millions of families in developing countries.
Tea and Sustainable development goals:
i.Production and processing of tea contribute towards achieving several sustainable development Goals(SDGs) which include, SDG 1: reduction of extreme poverty; SDG 2: fight against hunger; SDG 5: empowerment of women; and SDG 15: sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
ii.Tea also plays a major role in rural development and sustainable livelihoods and to improve the tea value chain to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Tea and Climate Change:
i.Tea can be produced only in narrowly defined agro-ecological conditions which are limited to a few countries, of which many countries are heavily impacted by climate change.
ii.The quality and production of tea are highly impacted by the changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, floods and droughts, and others.
iii.This also lowers the incomes and threatens the rural livelihoods.
About Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO):
Director-General– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
