Balancing Tea Export and Domestic Food Security: Strategies for Affordable High-Quality Tea in Bangladesh

This manuscript presents a research proposal examining the imbalance between high-quality tea exports and the availability of lower-grade tea in the domestic market of Bangladesh. The study proposes to investigate strategies for improving affordable, high-quality tea for local consumers including the potential role of genetically improved tea varieties and other innovations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research aims to evaluate the socio-economic implications for consumer welfare, food security and the tea industry and to provide evidence-based recommendations for policymakers.