The deliberations produced a set of clear outcomes that will shape the future of the region’s most celebrated leaf:

Heritage and Identity: Darjeeling Tea was affirmed as a cultural legacy inseparable from the Himalayan landscape and the dignity of its workers.

Worker Empowerment: Calls for fair wages, worker ownership, and educational initiatives underscored the need to place tea garden families at the center of industry reform.

Sustainability: Organic farming, biodiversity  conservation, and climate resilience were recognized as essential to safeguarding the future of Darjeeling Tea.

Academic-Industry Collaboration: With thirty-four papers presented across eight sessions, the conference highlighted the role of higher education in shaping tea policy, research, and advocacy.

Fair Trade and Global Positioning: Industry leaders urged certification and branding strategies to protect small growers while ensuring Darjeeling Tea’s premium status in global markets.

Beyond the conclusions, the conference marked a turning point in institutional leadership. Salesian College Sonada positioned itself as a convening hub for all stakeholders—workers, planters, traders, academics, influencers and policymakers. There was a popular demand to make the International Tea Conference an annual feature, thereby ensuring continuity of dialogue and collective action.

In a visionary move, the College also extended the scope to include Darjeeling Coffee, a rising alternative Geographical Indication (GI) brand. By bringing tea and coffee together under one platform, Salesian College aims to diversify the region’s heritage economy, strengthen farmer livelihoods, and create new opportunities for global recognition.

The conference closed with a strong call: Darjeeling’s future lies in collective stewardship. Salesian College’s leadership in convening this annual dialogue is not just academic—it is a commitment to heritage, justice, and sustainability. By uniting stakeholders of both tea and coffee, the College is charting a path toward a resilient and dignified future for the Himalayan region.