In the quest for sustainable food systems, tea farming has emerged as a critical area of focus, given the environmental and socio-economic challenges posed by conventional tea plantations. A recent systematic review published in *Environmental Research Communications* sheds light on the complexities and trade-offs associated with Sustainable Tea Farming Approaches (STFA). Led by Rachel S. K. Lee from the Department of Forestry at National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, the study synthesizes evidence from 54 articles to evaluate the impacts of five STFA categories using a socio-ecological systems framework.
The review highlights that organic tea farming approaches have been the most extensively studied, revealing synergies between environmental and socio-economic benefits. These benefits include improved tea quality and profits from certification, which can significantly enhance the commercial viability of tea farming. “Organic approaches not only benefit the environment but also offer economic advantages to farmers through premium pricing and certification profits,” Lee notes.
However, the study also identifies critical gaps in the understanding of agroforestry’s socio-economic impacts. While agroforestry shows diverse ecosystem benefits—such as improved soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience—its socio-economic outcomes remain under-explored. This suggests potential trade-offs that need to be carefully managed to ensure long-term sustainability.
From a long-term perspective, the review finds that agroforestry, biochar application, and partial organic approaches offer co-benefits for climate mitigation and resilience. Yet, these positive outcomes are heavily dependent on nuanced ecological processes and social contexts, including the roles of key actors who enable these benefits. “The success of these approaches hinges on a deep understanding of the interacting factors and the social dynamics that drive them,” Lee explains.
The study emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sustainable tea farming. Instead, a combination of approaches, supported by robust monitoring and reliable indicators, could enhance overall system sustainability. This adaptive strategy would allow for the formulation of policies and strategies that are responsive to changing conditions and emerging challenges.
The findings also underscore critical research gaps, particularly the need for more comprehensive and interdisciplinary research that considers multiple sustainable outcomes across disciplines. This holistic approach is essential for addressing the blind spots in current knowledge and for developing a more sustainable roadmap for tea farming systems.
For the agriculture sector, these insights are invaluable. They highlight the importance of integrating multiple sustainable practices to achieve long-term resilience and profitability. By adopting a multi-faceted approach, tea farmers can not only mitigate environmental impacts but also enhance their economic prospects through improved quality and certification benefits.
As the global demand for sustainable products continues to grow, the findings of this review offer a roadmap for the tea industry to navigate the complexities of sustainability transitions. By embracing a combination of approaches and leveraging robust monitoring systems, the sector can achieve a more sustainable and resilient future.