Tea growers in Nepal honor a German partner for expanding exports to Europe

Tea producers in the Ilam region of Nepal held a ceremonial farewell for Thomas Holz, a German tea professional who helped bring Nepali tea to European markets.

Holz worked with the Gorkha Tea Estate and local cooperatives to establish a commercial presence for Nepali tea in Germany. Udaya Kumar Chapagain, the founding chair of Gorkha Tea Estate, stated that the partnership helped expand the market reach for the estate, its affiliated cooperatives, and local farmers.

The ceremony took place at the estate in Sunderpani to recognize Holz's contributions before his retirement from TeaGschwendner. During the event, Jaya Rai, the vice-chair of the Sunderpani Tea Cooperative, presented Holz and TeaGschwendner with a memorandum of appreciation. The cooperative also asked for continued support in linking tea farming with the tourism industry. Local farmers aim to establish homestays near the tea gardens to create new income sources for their communities.

Holz expressed that his retirement from his professional position will not end his connection to the region. He stated that his support and affection for the Nepali tea farmers will continue even after he stops working for the company. Representatives from the Sunderpani, Eco, and Bauddhadham tea cooperatives attended the farewell alongside local farmers and industry stakeholders.