# The challenges that impact sustainability, traceability, & transparency in the Tea industry

**Sustainability:**\
Ensuring sustainability in tea production is an ongoing struggle. Environmental degradation and community impacts persist due to unsustainable practices. Sustainable tea production requires adopting eco-friendly farming methods, minimizing chemical usage, and conserving natural resources.

**Traceability:**\
It's crucial to preserve the environment and safeguard communities' well-being. Traceability gaps hinder the ability to verify the origin and quality of Sri Lankan tea. This lack of transparency affects consumer trust and can lead to misrepresentation or adulteration of products. Establishing a robust traceability system allows for the recording and tracking of each tea's journey, from plantation to packaging. Transparent information about origin, processing, and certifications ensures authenticity and builds consumer confidence. Transparency issues pose challenges in validating fair trade practices and ensuring ethical working conditions for tea workers.

**Transparency:**\
The lack of visibility can hinder progress in uplifting communities. Promoting transparency involves adhering to fair trade principles, providing fair wages, safe working conditions, and supporting social welfare programs. Limited transparency and trust impede market growth and international competitiveness. Establishing credibility is essential to tap into the full potential of the Sri Lankan tea industry. Gaining market trust requires fostering transparency, implementing stringent quality control measures, and ensuring compliance with international standards.

Building credibility attracts consumers and opens doors to new markets. \
Identifying these challenges is the first step towards finding solutions. At zenGate, we've done a lot of research, and we are building our MVP PalmyraComDex to bring solutions, not only to the producers but to the consumers as well.\\
