Fair Trade
The hyacinth — can you believe it is an invasive species?
Twenty years ago, the hyacinth, a lovely purple blooming water weed, was brought to Lake Victoria — the largest body of water in Africa — from outside the ecosystem. Doubling in size every 15 days, it quickly became an invasive species. The plant flourished on the lake’s pollution and grew to such an extent that it began blocking the local fisherfolks’ access to the water and choking the lake’s tilapia population.
In attempt to eradicate the species and restore the livelihoods of fishermen, the World Bank contracted a company, the Swamp Devils, to mechanically cut and clear the weeds around key ports. While their work allows for fishing boats to pass in and out of the ports, it is expensive, weeds quickly grow back and the dead weeds floating in the water continue to pose a problem for marine life.
But the hyacinth can be harvested by hand and used to make a variety of products. Local organizations on the banks of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — the countries bordering Lake Victoria — began exploring these possibilities, creating jobs while keeping the weed in check. It can be used to make gas, animal fodder and a sturdy rope –- a rope so strong that it can be made into walking bridges across the river.
Local artisans and organizations also make it into a variety of crafts: cards, paper, lampshades, sturdy furniture, baskets, footwear, string, handbags, mats, etc. As a result, jobs have been created in harvesting, processing and craft-making.
Since the weed grows at an alarming rate, efforts to control the weed need to be scaled up. In an effort to broaden the impact of the craft-related activities, the Kisumu Innovation Center — Kenya (KICK), an NGO, and Hyacinth Crafts, a small business, joined forces. Since then, they have they worked to develop a sustainable business model utilizing the weeds, and their products are sold on the Internet through retailers like Afrika Pamoja and in fair trade storefronts like Ten Thousand Villages.
Learn more about fair trade through the Fair Trade Federation.
This week, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), an effort to improve economies in sub-Saharan Africa, celebrates its 10th anniversary. ONE global policy intern Nathan Cole gives us a recap of AGOA’s annual forum.
Last week, experts on U.S.-African trade met at the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum to discuss its progress since it was signed into law in 2000.
AGOA gives beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to U.S. markets by allowing many products from these countries to be imported duty free. International trade is essential for development in Africa, and AGOA offers tangible incentives for African countries to continue their efforts to grow economically by exporting more to the U.S.
In the past ten years, AGOA has made progress in fostering U.S. trade with Africa. Currently, 38 countries are eligible to participate in AGOA. As Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) noted in the AGOA Civil Society Forum two weeks ago, “AGOA’s been a great success … it’s time to celebrate.” The Act has promoted new trade and investment, and it has created some 300,000 jobs in Africa. AGOA is also helping to create new markets in the U.S.
However, as Sen. Cardin also noted, several challenges still remain. For example, most of the increase in trade has been with oil and gas products, and AGOA has had a very limited impact on agricultural products. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said at the AGOA Forum last week, “Despite the best of intentions, AGOA has achieved only modest results and has not lived up to the highest hopes of a decade ago.”
There are many obstacles, but AGOA offers many opportunities as well. If necessary reforms such as broadening product coverage and simplifying eligibility rules are implemented, AGOA could help millions of Africans lift themselves out of poverty. AGOA can continue to foster reforms in African economies, provide technical support, and build platforms for dialogue. Hopefully, the AGOA Forum will continue to provide new insights and opportunities for advancing trade relations with Africa.
For more information on AGOA, please see ONE’s issue brief.
- Nathan Cole, global policy intern, ONE
Yesterday, Ben & Jerry’s announced that all of the flavors in all of the countries where its ice cream is sold will be converted to Fair Trade Certified™ ingredients by the end of 2013. Check out the details of the announcement in a funny video from TransFair USA CEO and founder Paul Rice here.
You can read more about Ben & Jerry’s going fair trade here.
Here’s another Valentine’s Day post from our friends at Divine Chocolate.
I just returned from Ghana where Divine Chocolate held its February board meeting. Whenever I make this trip, I’m always struck by the difference between what chocolate means to a cocoa farmer—and what it means to the rest of us.
On Valentine’s Day, chocolate is more than just a sign of affection. Chocolate helps us celebrate our best human trait—our capacity to love others.
But what does chocolate mean to a cocoa farmer in Ghana? If they’re a member of Kuapa Kokoo (the fair trade farmers cooperative that co-owns the Divine Chocolate brand), chocolate means no cheating.
It means not being cheated by cocoa buyers and traders, as cooperative members are well-versed in their rights as farmers.
It means not being cheated out of a better life and a brighter future. As the very first Fair Trade cocoa cooperative, Kuapa Kokoo has worked hard to not only better the lives of other farmers, but to strengthen other sectors as well—schools, health care, training programs, water.
It means not being cheated out of their say in the chocolate market. Since the farmers of Kuapa own their own brand, they can tell chocolate lovers about their hard work, their pride, their struggles, their triumphs. They can also articulate why trade terms are unfair and help mobilize the community to bring about change.
You may have noticed a lot of buzz in recent months with big brands offering more Fair Trade products, including Cadbury, Nestle and Green & Blacks. This is great news and should be celebrated. But so much more needs to be done. Smallholder cocoa farmers are still very poor in a very rich industry. Dignity, equality and fair partnerships with consumers and businesses must also be a priority. So let’s not just support ethical products, but businesses with ethical missions and a commitment to farmer empowerment, too.
-Erin Gorman, Divine Chocolate USA
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Then don’t miss the post below from our friends at TransFair USA.
Gorgeous bouquets of roses, mouth-watering candy hearts, romantic dinner reservations—and Fair Trade. There are so many ways that you can make Fair Trade a part of this Valentine’s Day, which is why February 14th holds a special place in our hearts at TransFair USA.
TransFair USA is a nonprofit, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. We enable sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products in over 60 countries around the world.
So how can you help? The Gifts of Fairness giving program allows you to give a gift that changes the world.
What’s Valentine’s Day without chocolate hearts? Now you can make them Fair Trade Certified chocolate hearts with heart-shaped bonbons from Divine Chocolate. Looking for a more seductive gift for your sweetheart? Check out Theo Chocolate’s Aphrodisiac Confection Collection.
Do you have a date to impress? Then pick up Theo’s Chocolate and Wine Pairing Kit. The kit comes with several varieties of Fair Trade Certified Theo chocolate and offers suggestions of great wine to pair it with. Buy a bottle of Fairhills Bus Stop Red and enjoy some great vino AND help build a school bus system for the children of over 800 farm employees in Mendoza, Argentina. Or pick up some Solombra Merlot and help buy bricks for the community hospital that is being built in the Famatina Valley of Argentina. Watch this video to learn more.
As it turns out, many Fair Trade Certified products are also common cupcake ingredients (sugar, coffee, chocolate). Look for sugar from Wholesome Sweeteners or Alter Eco at your local store or order online. And those that aren’t so common (roses, tea, bananas and honey) are potential components in exquisite recipes. Carefully selecting ingredients that are responsibly grown and traded ensures that each cupcake is Made with Love.
And last, but not least, flowers! Show that special someone in your life how much you care by giving her/him Fair Trade Certified flowers. The Fair Trade Certified label on your bouquet means that flower workers—most of whom are women—can put food on their tables, send their children to school, invest in community development, and use sustainable farming methods. Watch this video to learn more.
Check out this post from our partner organization TransFair USA about Fair Trade Month in October.
Every October, we launch a month-long campaign to promote awareness and sales of Fair Trade Certified™ products. This year’s theme, 31 Days 31 Ways, offers opportunities to make every October day a Fair Trade day. Each day you can learn something new about Fair Trade and find innovative ways to support the movement. These small acts can make a big difference in the lives of small-scale farmers and farm workers in the developing world who struggle to make a living in the global economy.
We want to hear how you’re making Fair Trade a part of your life and invite you to follow the campaign each day on Facebook and Twitter. Share your progress as you take 31 steps towards alleviating poverty and creating a healthier planet. Add our Fair Trade Month banners and interactive widget to your blog, website or Facebook page and forward the links to all of your friends and networks. Promote Fair Trade in your community by joining or starting a Fair Trade Town campaign. Visit the new Fair Trade Towns USA website or contact us to help you get started.
Be bold! Celebrating Fair Trade Month is as easy as asking for Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar, or bananas when you shop. Or enjoy a bottle of Fair Trade wine and treat someone special (including yourself) with a bouquet of beautiful Fair Trade roses. You will make a difference!
Prior to President Obama’s visit to Ghana, Divine Chocolate, a fair trade chocolate brand co-owned by Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Cooperative in Ghana, invited him to visit and see fair trade in action.
With a fifteen year record as a democratic farmer organization of 45,000 members, Kuapa demonstrates how a more equitable trading system can work and is an excellent example of cocoa farmers organized democratically to participate in shaping their own futures. It stands as a powerful example for other African producers, for industry initiatives and for policy makers.
While Obama didn’t make it to Kuapa, I was pleased that his speech to the Ghana parliament addressed two key ingredients for shaping a policy of fair and sustainable trade.
“Partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility”
Because 70% of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa, the fates of chocolate brands and cocoa growers are linked. A sustainable trade system must include a commitment to true partnership. Today the discussions about terms of trade – whether at the level of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) or discussions with government and industry regarding issues of child labor and the cocoa sector — are conducted largely without democratic representation of cocoa farmers. Companies and policy makers interested in fair trade must insist on a fair say for cocoa farmers inside institutions that impact their lives.
“Africa’s future is up to Africans.”
A system of fair trade encourages farmers to decide for themselves how to invest in their future. Right now there is an incredible opportunity to build the capacity of cocoa farmers to become players in the global market. For example, the Gates Foundation has funded a $40 million Cocoa Livelihoods Program in West Africa. A measure of its success should be how well cocoa farmers are prepared to become equal participants in shaping the terms of trade, not merely how well does it prepare farmers to produce better cocoa.
But forging a system of fair trade isn’t simply up to Africa or the Obama administration. It requires the participation of individuals like you and me as well. It demands that we let companies and politicians know that paying fair prices is the minimum that should be done. It requires that we value empowerment of African producers and we measure companies and policy makers against their efforts on this front. To learn more about these issues and how you can get involved, go to: www.allafrica.com and www.africaaction.org.
-Erin Gorman, CEO of Divine Chocolate
