Supply chain and logistic optimization: analysis of the supply chain for tea silver tips production in low country

Abstract

This is a qualitative research conducted to study the supply chain optimization for tea silver tips production and analyze the supply chain for Silver Tips production in low country and how to optimize the logistics. The study will be targeting 13 major tea factories in low country and 20 tea smallholder growers in Deniyaya area. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted and the data was collected using a questionnaire. Secondary data was collected from previous literature. Data process and analysis was done using descriptive analysis. As for the outcome, study was able to emphasize the issues in the silver tip value chain as well as the suggestions given by the farmers. Growing low yielding varieties, re-exporting tea, poor transportation services and financial support, lack of developmental research and knowledge dissemination to farmers. Growers and the producers suggested to broadening the research and new variety development on tea, updating the growers with the latest technical knowledge, policy implementation, encouraging farmers to use plastic crates and providing financial support in order to maximize the yield.