Robots will 'no doubt' replace millions in our industry in
a few years, Dilmah CEO says
·
A major robotic disruption could soon put at stake the livelihoods
of millions of tea growers around the world, according to Dilmah CEO Dilhan
Fernando
·
The shift could come "within a few years," the CEO said
·
Worldwide, an estimated 13 million people are involved in tea
production, and they are likely to mostly come from developing nations
By Stacey Yuen
Published 10:03 PM ET Wed, 22 Nov 2017 CNBC.com
A major robotic
disruption appears set to hit the tea industry, putting at stake the
livelihoods of millions of mostly low-wage workers around the world, according
to the CEO of a global beverage business.
At Sri Lankan tea
company Dilmah, tea picking — a fundamental step in the production process —
has been handled largely by humans, said Dilhan Fernando, the firm's chief
executive.
But artificial
intelligence could very soon reach a level of expertise to supersede existing
workers, according to Fernando.
"I have no doubt
that within a few years, particularly after seeing Sophia this
morning ... we will see robots or drones picking tea," Fernando said,
referring to the humanoid robot developed by Hong Kong-based firm Hanson Robotics.
How soon AI solutions
can be broadly adopted in the industry depends on the rate at which engineers
can solve several existing challenges.
"With tea, to
pick the two leaves and bud, you need to be able to understand the different
colors [and] gradations. That, a robot can do. But it's also [about traveling]
across certain undulating terrain, so it's a little difficult even for a
drone," Fernando said.
Workers
hand-pick tea leaves at the Simulbari Tea Estate in Darjeeling district, West
Bengal, India, on Dec. 7, 2015. Sanjit Das | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Fernando's
prediction, if correct, could have severe consequences for the livelihoods of a
massive population. Worldwide, an estimated 13 million people are involved in
tea production, with the majority of planters being smallholder farmers,
according to sustainable development agency Solidaridad.
And those growers
largely come from less-wealthy countries: Developing nations — such as top
growers China, India, Kenya and Sri Lanka — overwhelmingly
account for the world's major producers, according to data from the United Nations' Food
and Agriculture Organization.
Admitting that
technology could pose a real problem to tea workers, the CEO said he did not
"have the solutions right now," but believes they will be around the
corner.
Dilmah's founder also
runs a charitable foundation focusing on providing opportunities in different
trades for younger people in the tea industry, Fernando said.
"It's not
particularly good at the moment for us where business is concerned. But it's a
right that they have, and we have to understand that there are social issues
that we have to address," he added.
The $39.3 billion tea
beverage market is expected to continue expanding and hit $44.3 billion by
2021, according to Germany-based
statistics company Statista.
Last year, there
emerged reports of poor sanitation, malnutrition and child labor being rife in
India's Assam state, the world's largest tea region. Three of Britain's top
tea brands, Twinings, Taylors of Harrogate and Fortnum & Mason, reportedly
suspended business last year with the supplier embroiled in the controversy.
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