Yogya Tea Party is a series of activities held on 12-14 December 2014 by PT Pagilaran. The event took place at Fort Vredeburg Yogyakarta and Gadjah Mada University. This series of activities was held to build better communication between stakeholders from farmers, traders, downstream industries and the government to respond to critical sector issues and respond to business opportunities and promote products to the public by performing the palace’s tradition of tea drinking. Support from various parties is very important for the sustainability of the Indonesian tea sector.
Simultaneously with the opening of the Yogya Tea Party, the Chairman of the Komoditi Lestari Foundation – Mr. I Nyoman Oka – handed over the Lestari Certificate to the Executive Director of PT Pagilaran – Rachmat Gunadi. The presentation of the Lestari certificate was also attended by representatives of Unilever and the Chairman of the Indonesian Tea Council. The Lestari Certificates were awarded to PT Pagilaran’s two production units, Jatilawang and Kaliboja, which have successfully met the sustainability certification requirements – the Lestari Code – with supplies from farmers around the factory. The handover of the Lestari certificate was held at the Yogya Tea Party to inspire and initiate the sustainability of programs in tea sectors by other stakeholders so that the sustainability of Indonesian tea sector will receive more and more support.
The series of Jogja tea party activities lasted for three days, beginning with the ritual of brewing tea at the Yogyakarta palace by the royal courtiers. Furthermore, the Yogya Tea Party was opened by several national tea stakeholder figures, including representatives of the Yogyakarta Palace and the Yogyakarta Provincial Government, Rachmat Gunadi representing PT.Pagilaran, Rahmat Badrudin representing the Indonesian Tea Council, I Nyoman Oka representing the Komoditi Lestari Foundation (Lestari Certification) and representatives from Unilever. Representation of many stakeholders is a symbol of communication and commitment between stakeholders to build a sustainable national tea sector.
After the opening, the invitees were asked to visit the product exhibition where they can see many local tea products produced by companies from various regions in Indonesia. In the exhibition there are also booths for displaying farmer’s products, promoting Lestari certification and a nutrition program in the tea sector which is supported by Solidaridad and the Dutch Embassy. The exhibition was also open for public.
Other activities in the event were National Seminar “Towards a National and Sustainable Plantation Industry”, a leisure walk attended by invitees and the public as well as the Green Tea Competition. The Green Tea Competition was a single origin green tea tasting competition. This competition was attended by 13 participants from large plantations, tea packers, and tea farmer cooperatives. The judges were three world tea masters namely Mr. Mustofa Syariffudin from Indonesia, Mr. Lee from Singapore and Mr. Vladimeer of Russia. After a rigorous testing process, it was declared that the first winner was PT. Agrotea Bukit Daun, second – PT. Kabepe Cakra and the third winner is the Putera Mekar Garut Cooperative. Putera Mekar Cooperative being one of the winner is a proof that farmers are able to process quality products and are able to compete with the products of private and state companies.
