Sustainability Assessment of the Tea Industry in Tanzania

The sustainability assessment of the tea industry in Tanzania reveals pressing challenges and opportunities within its socio-economic and environmental frameworks. Despite being a vital cash crop and source of livelihood for over 50,000 smallholder families, Tanzania's tea production lags significantly behind competitors such as Kenya, with only 5.1% of Kenya's production metrics. The study evaluates key factors influencing the industry's sustainability, including social conditions, economic viability, environmental health, and agronomic practices. A purposive sampling technique was used to select key participants with direct involvement and expertise in the tea industry including Estate workers (50); Smallholder farmers (100); and Industry Stakeholders (15) complemented with FGDs (2), in-depth interviews with key institutions, and documentary reviews. The findings highlight systemic issues such as low worker wages, inadequate access to social services, and poor investment in modern agricultural technologies. Environmental concerns, including biodiversity loss, monoculture practices, and insufficient water management, pose further risks to the industry's future. The research concludes with recommendations for interventions that promote economic viability, social equity, and environmental stewardship, underscoring the need for strategic reforms to unlock the sector's full potential and ensure a sustainable future for Tanzanian tea production.