Monsoon Tea Pays Out First Biodiversity Bonuses to Forest Friendly Tea Farmers in Northern Thailand
We are proud to announce that we have completed the first round of payouts under our Biodiversity Bonus program — a core outcome of the Biodiversity Traceability Project developed with support from the GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation 2.0.
The program rewards farmers financially for maintaining and improving the health of the forest ecosystems in which they grow tea, using data collected through Monsoon Tea’s proprietary traceability app and AI-powered biodiversity sensors.
First Results
Since the program’s rollout, 48 farmers across two partner communities have joined the Biodiversity Traceability Project. Of these, 26 farmers have qualified for and received a Biodiversity Bonus, with total payouts reaching THB 138,080 in this initial round.
How the Bonus Works
Each farmer’s land is assessed for biodiversity using Monsoon Tea’s AI-based scoring system, which analyzes acoustic data collected by solar-powered forest sensors to identify insect and bird species and gauge ecosystem health. Land is then graded on Monsoon Tea’s proprietary Rimdahl-scale, with bonus payments tied directly to the result:
- Grade A land earns farmers a bonus of THB 1,200 per rai.
- Grade B land earns a bonus of THB 600 per rai.
The exact amount a farmer receives depends on the size of their landholding and their assessment grade. Farmers who improve their land’s biodiversity condition from Grade B to Grade A in a subsequent year become eligible for a higher payout — creating a direct financial incentive to protect and restore forest habitat over time.
Supporting Farmers Toward Higher Grades
Monsoon Tea works directly with farmers on the ground to help them raise their assessment grade and, in turn, their income. This includes:
- On-site biodiversity assessments, guidance, and practical advice on sustainable cultivation practices.
- Training and knowledge-sharing activities focused on sustainable forest management.
- Specific recommendations — such as reducing the cutting of large trees and preserving forest habitat for wildlife — for farmers whose land currently sits in less healthy condition.
Farmers who consistently maintain Grade A land can generate continuous income of up to THB 1,200 per rai, per year, for as long as that condition is sustained.
Continued Support for Farmers Not Yet Qualifying
Of the 48 participating farmers, some did not meet the biodiversity assessment criteria required to qualify for a bonus in this first round. Monsoon Tea has committed to working with these farmers directly, offering consultation and land-specific guidance to help them improve biodiversity outcomes and become eligible for the Biodiversity Bonus in future assessment cycles.
About the Biodiversity Traceability Project
The Biodiversity Traceability Project was one of only 12 proposals selected by the GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation 2.0, chosen from 593 applications across 83 countries. The project combines a tea-traceability application with an AI-driven biodiversity scoring system, giving tea drinkers visibility into the exact origin of their tea and its measurable impact on forest biodiversity and community livelihoods.
