<![CDATA[The Indonesian tea industry continues to plays a strategic role in economic, social, and environmental development but recently faces of complex problems and challenges spanning the entire upstream-downstream value chain as well as dynamic both domestic and global markets. In upstream level, smallholder tea plantations, covering about 50% of the national tea area and supplying much of the processing industry, especially green tea, are increasingly at risk from declining productivity. This study focuses on West Java Province, the main center of smallholder tea plantation in Indonesia, as it accounts for approximately 89% of total smallholder tea area and contributes about 85% for national tea smallholder production. The aim of this study is to formulate the strategies for improving the production and productivity of smallholder tea plantation by using a mixed-method approach with a sequential explanatory design. Data were collected from 155 farmers and analyzed through SEM (SPSS–AMOS 26) supported by SWOT analysis. Findings show productivity is directly influenced by farmer independence, personal characteristics, and farm conditions, and indirectly by agribusiness competence and extension services, with an explanatory power of 81.4%. The recommended strategy is the implementation of horizontal and conservative integration through a closed-loop tea farming system that connect upstream-downstream activity as well as market. Strengthening farmer independence, enhancing human resources character and institutional, improving the conducive and sustainable farm management are key factors in enhancing competitiveness of smallholder tea in Indonesia.]]>
