Starbucks, Tata Starbucks Launch Farmer Support Partnership

Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks have strengthened their commitment to India’s coffee ecosystem with the launch of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) aimed at transforming the value chain from “bean to cup.” The collaborative initiative will link local agronomists and farmers with global best practices through open-source agronomy.
Starbucks Coffee Trading Company (SCTC), the brand’s global procurement arm, will work closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030. The FSP, based in Karnataka, will merge Starbucks’ decades of agronomy expertise with Tata’s deep local insights to support farmers across key coffee-growing states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. The new programme will establish technical model farms to embed world-class agronomy practices, test sustainable solutions, and trial new varietals suited to Indian growing conditions. It will also serve as a hub for innovation, drawing from Starbucks’ global Farmer Support Centers in regions such as North Sumatra, Yunnan, and Costa Rica. Through the partnership, farmers will gain access to Starbucks’ 2026 global digital agronomy training modules, covering topics like crop quality, C.A.F.E. sourcing standards, regenerative agriculture, and climate-resilient practices. The initiative aims to improve yield, enhance farmer profitability, reduce environmental impact, and support agroforestry-based livelihoods. To strengthen the value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his India visit, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said, “India is one of our fastest-growing markets. We’re partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India by supporting farmers, empowering communities, and building a sustainable coffee ecosystem.” Sunil D’Souza, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Consumer Products, added, “This initiative blends Starbucks’ global agronomy strength with Tata’s extensive presence in India to advance responsible coffee farming and drive meaningful long-term impact.” The FSP marks a significant step toward building a sustainable, resilient, and globally integrated future for Indian coffee.