Starbucks and Tata launch a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to empower Indian coffee farmers, enhance sustainability, and advance agronomy innovation by 2030. The partnership will connect Indian farmers and agronomists with global, open-source best practices in coffee cultivation.
November, 2025: Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), the company’s global sourcing and trading subsidiary, will work closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers across the country by 2030. The new FSP, based in Karnataka, will combine Starbucks’ global agronomy expertise with Tata’s deep understanding of local market dynamics and India’s longstanding coffee heritage. The platform will support growers in major coffee-producing states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, giving them greater access to Starbucks’ agricultural research, sustainability frameworks, and innovation networks.
A central component of the partnership will be the development of technical “model farms,” created in cooperation with local farmers to apply and test agronomic best practices. These model farms will serve as real-world platforms to trial sustainable cultivation approaches, study new varietals, evaluate agroforestry initiatives, and strengthen climate resiliency. Insights gained from these farms will be extended to the wider farmer community, contributing to improved productivity, better soil health, and enhanced cup quality.
The partnership is structured to build on traditional agricultural knowledge while offering advanced techniques that improve crop quality and profitability. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will be integrated into Starbucks’ global research ecosystem, including its network of Farmer Support Centers (FSC) across other major coffee-growing regions. These include Starbucks facilities in North Sumatra, Indonesia; Yunnan, China; and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, which is both the company’s first company-operated farm and home to Starbucks Global Research and Development operations. This collaborative model ensures that Indian farmers will benefit from proven agronomic innovations drawn from regions with similar growing challenges and opportunities.
The FSP will further extend Starbucks’ global digital training tools to coffee growers in India beginning in 2026. These online resources will include structured modules on agronomy, coffee quality assessment, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices, Starbucks’ ethical sourcing standard designed to promote social responsibility and sustainable production. The platform will also deliver training on regenerative agriculture practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving water efficiency, minimizing waste, and reinforcing long-term environmental stewardship. This capacity-building approach will help farmers improve both their yield and their operational viability, while contributing to ecological restoration and strengthened value chains.
Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, “India is one of our fastest-growing markets. We’re partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers.”
Over the next five years, Starbucks and Tata Starbucks will implement targeted projects focused on three strategic priorities: enhancing coffee productivity, boosting farmer profitability, and improving climate resilience. To directly strengthen the supply chain, Tata Starbucks will donate one million high-yield Arabica seedlings to farmers, enabling faster adoption of improved plant varieties that are adaptable, high-performing, and suitable for evolving climatic conditions.
During a visit to India, Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer Brian Niccol noted that India remains one of the company’s fastest-growing international markets and is central to its long-term vision. He emphasized that the partnership reflects a commitment to supporting communities from farm to customer and building a more robust and sustainable coffee ecosystem in the country. Sunil D’Souza, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Consumer Products, highlighted the significance of combining Starbucks global agronomy capabilities with Tata’s deep presence in Indian agriculture to shape the next era of responsible and resilient coffee farming.
Sunil D’Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, “Through the past decade, together, Tata and Starbucks, have helped shape India’s thriving coffee culture and industry. We are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tata’s footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India.”
The launch of the FSP aligns with Tata Starbucks continued growth trajectory in India. Founded in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has played an important role in shaping modern coffee culture in the country. This week, the company celebrates the opening of its 500th store in India, a milestone that underscores its commitment to sustained market expansion, the creation of employment opportunities, and the development of its workforce.
The 500th location also marks Tata Starbucks second Starbucks Reserve® store in Delhi NCR, offering a more immersive and premium coffee experience that showcases Starbucks craftsmanship, heritage, and coffee storytelling. The store reflects Starbucks ongoing efforts to elevate the coffee experience in India through enriched beverage offerings, premium store designs, and localized product innovation.
Sushant Dash, CEO of Tata Starbucks, stated that the launch of the Farmer Support Partnership represents an important step in supporting India’s coffee-growing communities and securing the future of high-quality Arabica production. He emphasized that Starbucks long-term commitment extends beyond store growth to investing in farmers, partners, and customers while contributing to the continued development of a strong and dynamic coffee culture in India.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world.
About Tata Starbucks Private Limited
Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities. Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee – A TATA Alliance.
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