When Swarna first started her nursery she had 1,000 plants. "Over the last five months I have increased it to 5,000", proudly explained Swarna Fonseka.

I have about two acres of land, so I decided to use it to grow tea, and to start my own nursery for tea plants".

In an effort to improve the quality of her yields and to increase her returns, Swarna joined the Producer Partnership Programme. The programme is financed by Cafe Direct, which is the largest fair trade hot beverage company based in UK.

The programme, which was started in Sri Lanka in 2007, with the assistance of Oxfam GB, is focusing on increasing the income and security of small tea producers who supply leaf to the Keliwatte tea factory, over the long term, through the fair trade market.

In the first stage of the Programme, smallholders were mobilized to form three societies, and training was provided in soil conservation, plucking, pruning; fertilizer application and land management.

"The technical knowledge and assistance I have received through this Programme have helped me enhance the productivity of the plots, and my family has benefited from the increased income", she explained.

Swarna is now a member of the Diriya Tea Smallholder’s Society. Through training and field visits organized through this Programme, she has learned important nursery management skills and has become more knowledgeable of key factors necessary for successful cultivation, such as following a plucking table and being mindful of the timing and quantity of fertilizer use.

"I have been able to reduce my cost of production by applying good agricultural practices and using plant manure. I also use better soil conservation methods while maintaining shadow plants", she explained.

Each of the three societies have been registered under the Kothmale DS division under the Social Services and Non-Government act.

"The societies procure business and extension-services and inputs, disseminates information on market prices, provides savings and credit services, and lobbies on behalf of farmers with buyers and authorities" explained Thurangani Dahanayake, Oxfam GB Project Officer.

"Through the society, I have been able to secure a steady supply of subsidized fertilizer. This was not something I was able to do before I joined the society", Swarna explained.

These societies are now planning to develop a comprehensive business strategy for the next three years. The strategy will outline plans for diversification of production and strengthening collection networks amongst farmers and marketing of green leaves. Furthermore, the business plan will be used to negotiate for commercial financing from formal financial service providers.

Due to her success Swarna is now looking to diversify her crops to include pepper, coffee and ginger. "I am confident that by working through this society I will, be able to expand my business and use to take care of my family, and build a business of which my children can be proud’, she explained.