The estate has applied for GI certification to protect its identity and herbal quality unique to the region,' Subramanian said.

The estate, located in Temi in south Sikkim, grows about 100 tonnes of organic tea on about 440 acres. As a premium and niche product, Temi tea fetches Rs.2,500 (about $50) per kilogram in the international market.

'With European and other advanced countries being more health conscious, demand for natural and organic food is in great demand. In soft beverages, Indian planters should take advantage of the potential for organic tea and coffee in matured export markets,' Subramanian said.

The bank has also come forward to help the plantation sector in obtaining Fairtrade certification to penetrate the US and Canadian markets with specialty tea and coffee.

Designed to allow people to identify products that meet agreed environmental, labour and developmental standards, the Fairtrade certification will enable Indian brands to create niche markets in Europe and the US where consumption of specialty products is high.

FAO estimates that the global market for Fairtrade to be about $9 billion by 2012 as against $3.2 billion in 2007, which is an increase of 47 percent over 2006.

'The Indian planters should focus on key markets, with a customised approach for differentiated markets. The export of tea can be selectively promoted in the identified markets where advantages for brand building are greater,' Subramanian added.

(Fakir Balaji can be contacted at fakir.b@ians.in)