...Fairtrade and the impact on farmers’ lives Abstract Fairtrade is an organisation with the aim of improving the livelihoods of farmers from developing countries in order to support equality among people. The business is however often in the critique for procedures that are either not helpful for their farmers or even harm the market as a whole. This paper aims at analysing the Fairtrade standards as well as evidence from the literature with regard to the actual impact of the system. The results show that the standards set by Fairtrade are actually fair for their farmers, however a lack of transparency and traceability hinders their proper implementation. Furthermore, Fairtrade standards appear to have even negative effects on farmers that are not part of their organisation caused by rough price competitions as well as on the society as a whole since it hinders an autonomous development of the poor nations. Key Words: Fair Trade, Standards, Developing countries, Livelihood 1 1. Introduction The rising globalization has brought a lot of opportunities to developing countries since their agricultural products can now easily be purchased from all over the world. Due to poor economic, social and political conditions, their producers are however often underpaid and treated badly, while major corporations make the most profit out of it. While moral concerns about the origin of products are arising more and more within the last centuries in the western world, the...
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...Globalizations June 2008, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 259 –274 Are Sustainable Coffee Certifications Enough to Secure Farmer Livelihoods? The Millenium Development Goals and Nicaragua’s Fair Trade Cooperatives ´ ´ CHRISTOPHER M. BACONÃ , V. ERNESTO MENDEZÃÃ , MARIA ´ EUGENIA FLORES GOMEZÃÃÃ , DOUGLAS STUARTÃÃÃÃ , & SANDRO ´ ´ RAUL DIAZ FLORESÃÃÃÃÃ Ã University of California, Santa Cruz, USA University of Vermont, USA ÃÃÃ ´ Asociacion de Mujeres Contra La Violencia, Oyanka, Jalapa, Nicaragua ÃÃÃÃ Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua, Nicaragua ÃÃÃÃÃ ´ ´ CII-ASDENIC, Edificio Casa Estelı, Estelı, Nicaragua ÃÃ ABSTRACT In December 2001, green coffee commodity prices hit a 30-year low. This deepened the livelihood crisis for millions of coffee farmers and rural communities. The specialty coffee industry responded by scaling up several sustainable coffee certification programs, including Fair Trade. This study uses household- and community-level research conducted in Nicaragua from 2000 to 2006 to assess the response to the post-1999 coffee crisis. A participatory action research team surveyed 177 households selling into conventional and Fair Trade markets in 2006. In an effort to dialogue with specialty coffee industry and mainstream development agencies, results are framed within the context of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Findings suggest that households connected to Fair Trade cooperatives experienced several positive impacts...
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...University Library on July 5, 2011 Volume 8(4): 339–366 Copyright © 2008 SAGE www.sagepublications.com DOI: 10.1177/1470593108096540 articles Marketing the hegemony of development: of pulp fictions and green deserts1 Steffen Böhm University of Essex, UK Vinícius Brei Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil Abstract. In this paper we analyze the role of marketing in the construction of what can be called the hegemony of development. Through an investigation of the marketing practices of the pulp and paper industry in South America and the resistances that are articulated by a range of civil society actors against the expansion of this industry, we problematize marketing as a political and contested discourse and practice. By using Laclau and Mouffe’s (1985, 2001) theoretical framework, which is centered on the concept of ‘hegemony’, we highlight the crucial role marketing plays in the social and cultural legitimation of the highly controversial development of the pulp and paper industry – regarded as one of the most polluting industries in the world – in South America. We build on...
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...Food, Agriculture, and the Environment Discussion Paper 34 Agricultural Research and Poverty Reduction Peter Hazell and Lawrence Haddad International Food Policy Research Institute 2033 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 U.S.A. August 2001 INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP (TAC), CONSULTATIVE GROUP Copyright © 2001 International Food Policy Research Institute All rights reserved. Sections of this report may be reproduced without the express permission of but with acknowledgment to the International Food Policy Research Institute. ISBN 0-89629-639-3 Foreword v Acknowledgments vi 1. Introduction 1 2. The Nature and Extent of Poverty 3 3. How Agricultural Research Can Help the Poor 9 4. Targeting Agricultural Research to Benefit the Poor 18 5. Strategies for Pro-Poor Agricultural Research 26 6. The Role of Public Research and Extension Systems 35 References 37 Contents iii Tables 1. Trends in child malnutrition in developing countries, by region, 1970–95 6 2. Distribution of land types by region 6 3. Distribution of malnourished children by agroecological zone, 1990 7 4. Comparison of low- and middle-income countries 21 5. Priorities for agricultural research to reduce national poverty by type of adopting region 24 Figures 1. Number of people living on less than $1 a day, 1987 and 1998 4 2. Those living with HIV/AIDS and those newly infected: Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa...
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...Düsternbrooker Weg 120, 24105 Kiel, Germany Kiel Working Paper No. 1469 | December 2008 Title* Author Aslihan Arslan Abstract: Economic models of land allocation may lead to expectations for farmer response that “surprisingly" do not materialize, if market prices fail to reflect the value of farmers' product. “Shadow prices" rather than market prices explain resource allocation better for farmers who attach significant non-market values to their own crops. I extend the theoretical model in Arslan and Taylor (2008) to explain why the land allocation of such farmers may not respond to market signals even if transaction costs are not binding. I estimate the proportion of land subsistence maize farmers allocate to traditional versus modern maize varieties using nationally representative rural household data from Mexico – the center of diversity of maize. I conclude that shadow prices explain land allocation better than market prices and discuss the importance of non-market values in understanding both farmers' supply response and on-farm conservation of traditional crops with non-market values. Keywords: Land allocation, shadow prices, non-market values, traditional crops, on-farm conservation, Mexico JEL classification: O12, O13, Q12, Q39 Aslıhan Arslan Kiel Institute for the World Economy 24100 Kiel, Germany Telephone: (431) 881 4499 E-mail: aslihan.arslan@ifw-kiel.de * I thank to the Center on Rural Economies of the Americas and Pacific Rim (REAP) and Program for the Study...
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...Agriculture, growth and poverty reduction This paper was produced by the Agriculture and Natural Resources Team of the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in collaboration with Anne Thomson of Oxford Policy Management, Oxford. The authors are grateful to the UK Food Group for their additional contributions and comments. The paper reflects work in progress towards the development of new thinking on agricultural policy in DFID. It does not necessarily reflect the views and policy of DFID. This (working/supporting) paper is intended to stimulate public discussion. It is not necessarily DFID or UK Government policy. October 2004 Contents Executive Summary...................................................................................................... 3 1. What is the issue? .................................................................................................... 4 2. Agriculture, growth and poverty – what we know of the relationship ............................ 5 2.1 The context – the state of world poverty............................................................... 5 2.2 Agriculture’s recent performance – a picture of mixed progress............................... 7 2.3 Agricultural growth and poverty reduction – the evidence....................................... 9 2.4 Understanding how increased agricultural productivity reduces poverty ................. 10 3. Emerging issues and questions................................................
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...contamination, the crop seed that was saved and planted the next year was also contaminated because he was unable to distinguish between the contaminated seed and his own. However, the courts believed that it was his business to know that he was planting and growing this genetically modified seed and found for the plaintiff. They stated that the crops were indeed his; however, when using a product that achieves monetary gain, the user must pay to use it, even if it is only a small part of the product. Although he did not have to pay out for damages, he did have to be out a sizable amount in court fees and had to burn all seeds (Gibbons, 2012) In this paper, I will discuss the probable reasons as to why Monsanto believes there is an increase of crop production, how the government involves itself with matters such a patents on genetics, how farmers feel about growing genetically modified plants, and the impact of the anti-biotech campaigns. Lastly, I will give a personal opinion on my belief as to where Monsanto stands ethically and also how the public perceived Monsanto after the case. Increased Crop Production When I was a child, I used to visit my uncle’s cotton farm. Their home was located next to the fields and during the time that they plowed the fields to get them ready...
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...the U.S. does not, why is that? The majority of countries believe that genetically engineered foods are not safe for human consumption or the environment. Yet, the USDA or the FDA has not proved genetically modified organisms harmful or dangerous nor have any major studies conducted in the United States found them to be dangerous or harmful. However, there are studies that have shown that genetically modified organisms are producing “super” weeds and “super” bugs. The major advantage to using these genetically modified foods though, is they could possibly end world hunger in the future by the assumption that they increase crop yields. Although the long term health, environmental, and economical effects of genetically modified organisms is not fully understood, the majority of people from around the world are leery and therefore opposed to the use of genetically modified organisms. This research paper will attempt to analyze the health, environmental and economical issues surrounding genetically modified organisms. According to Dictionary.com, “A GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there.” Genetically Modified Organisms are most commonly used in the agricultural business, where companies like Monsanto have genetically engineered “hybrid” seeds. For example, Round-up Ready corn that is corn that has had its DNA modified to withstand the herbicide Round Up....
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...TOPIC: Gap Analysis of Retail Supply Chain between India and Developed Nations INTRODUCTION IMPORTANCE OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: ← Supply chain management is a topic of importance among the logistic managers and researchers because it is a Consider with a competitive edge. Supply chain management deals with the management of materials, information and financial flows in a net work consisting of suppliers, manufactures, distributes and customers. ← The supply chain management is logistics aspect of a value delivery chain. It comprises all of the parties that participate in the retail logistics process: Manufacturers, wholesalers, Third Party Specialists like Shippers, Order Fulfilment House etc. and the Retailer. Here, logistics is the total process of planning, implementing and coordinating the physical movement of merchandise from manufacturer to retailer to customer in the most timely, effective and cost efficient manner possible. ← Supply chain enables an organized retailer to move or store products more effectively, efficient logistics management not only prevents needless movement of goods, vehicles transferring products back and forth; but also frees up storage space for more productive use. SOME DEFENITIONS OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT: Supply chain management (SCM) is the management of interconnected businesses involved in the ultimate provision of product and service packages required by end customers (Harland, 1996). Supply chain...
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...Abstract A problem of poverty of farmer in North and Northeast region has been discussed since the old time. The direction of government to rice producer is unclear. Since that, the poverty problem could not be solved. Therefore, the discussion of the paper would focus the idea on the direction of rice producer in order to get the highest return and can maintain the competitiveness in world rice market. This paper aims to analyze the future direction of rice producer especially in North and Northeast region. The objective of the paper is focus on increasing farmer revenue in order to reduce poverty by growing a right rice’s strain that give highest return. It mainly centers on premium rice, which is Jasmine rice. Describing constraint of Jasmine rice is provided in paper. Besides, this paper will discuss the effect of Thailand competitiveness, the effect of poverty, problem related to...
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...POLICY RESEARCH WORKING PAPER 1667 Dealing with Commodity Price Uncertainty Plantos Varangis Dont Larson Market liberalization has increased the appeal of commodity derivative instruments (such as futures, options, swaps, and commodity-linked notes)as a means of managing price uncertainty. many In emerging countries both government and the private sector are increasinglyusing these instruments. The World Bank International Economics Department Commodity Policy and Analysis Unit October 1996 POLICYRESEARCH WORKINGPAPER1667 Summary findings Liberalization in commodity markets has brought profound changes in the way price risks are allocated and managed in commodity subsectors. Price risks are increasingly allocated to private traders and farmers rather than absorbed by the government. The success of market reform depends on the ability of the emerging private sector to make full use of the available range of modern commodity marketing, price risk management (such as futures, options, swaps, commodity bonds, and so on), and financing instruments. Because farmers do not generally have direct access to these instruments, interinediaries must be developed. Larger private traders and banks are in the best position to become these intermediaries. Preconditions needed for accessing modern commodity marketing, price risk management, and financing instruments are: * Creating an appropriate legal, regulatory, and institutional framework. * Reducing government...
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...cases millions or thousands of millions of years by analyzing a number of indirect measures of tree rings, pollen remains, ice cores and glacier lengths among other features. Research indicates that natural causes are not responsible for the most observed warming and that since the mid-20th century, human activities have become the dominant causes of that warming (Haldar, 2014). In this context, there is going to be an analysis of the main contributors to global warming in the modern day. Major Pollutants Causing Global Warming Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel The global population has become addicted to the use of electricity both at the domestic and the industrial level. The society has become over-reliant on electricity as a source of energy to a level where the government and private firms have had their commitments when it comes to massive production and consumption of electricity. The society’s increasing addition to electricity from coal-burning power plants has been responsible for the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Increased releases of carbon dioxide via this mechanism is going to help in the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere thus exposing the world to increased global warming that is going to facilitate climatic changes that are fatal for the future generations of human and other organisms. The energy sectors of both the leading and emerging nations are the major players in enhancing the burning of coal to produce electricity...
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...continent, provide evidence for the emerging consensus on the future role of small-holder farming for Africa’s economic growth. Table of contents 1 Introduction 4 1.1 Definition of inclusive growth 4 1.2 Africa’s economic growth narrative 5 2 The Challenges of Africa’s Agricultural Sector 8 2.1 Issues surrounding Land Tenure and concomitant effects 8 2.2 Low diffusion and absorption of technology 11 3 The Role of Smallholder Farming for Africa’s Economic Growth – Evidence of an Emerging Consensus 13 4 Smallholder Farming Success Narratives 15 4.1 Botswana: Competitiveness of beef smallholder farmers 15 4.2 Ethiopia: Commercialisation of small scale farmers of grain 16 5 Conclusion and Recommendations 17 References 20 Agriculture and its role in inclusive growth in Africa 1. Introduction The purpose of this report is to consider the position of agriculture in Africa, and the potential that it has for improving the lives of the majority of those living on the continent. The report starts off with defining inclusive growth, and highlights how agriculture can contribute towards this phenomena as a consideration. It then talks to agricultural concepts and considerations in the African context, and attempts to identify African specific challenges and provide workable solutions. The paper also reflects on an emerging consensus advocating for the promotion of the productivity of smallholder farmers which is believed could drive economic growth for a broader...
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...Intro establishes significance without taking sides: Every five years, Congress introduces a multi-billion dollar bill that affects all Americans. This legislation has come to be known as the Farm bill, and this year’s is quite possibly the most scrutinized, criticized, and important farm bill that has ever been introduced. So, the question arises: “Why is the farm bill such a controversial issue?” Dan Imhoff answers, “If you eat, pay taxes, care about the nutritional values of school lunches, worry about the plight of biodiversity or the loss of farmland and shrinking open space, you have a personal stake in the tens of billions of dollars annually committed to agricultural and food policies” (18). Now the controversy and social problems—as seen by each side—are introduced. The Farm bill is responsible for funding numerous food related programs, such as subsidies, the food stamp program, and also the farmer’s safety net, to name just a few. Where this money goes and how it is spent reflects what the United States values, and what it is defining as a social problem. Some supporters of this bill maintain that this bill provides financial security not only to agriculturalists but also to consumers as well. They believe that this bill promotes an increased emphasis on of conservation, and that it also encourages efforts to explore the merits of bioenergy. The value placed on conservation, cleaner, more efficient energy sources, and the financial protection of American citizens...
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...Nestlé The Nestlé concept of corporate social responsibility as implemented in Latin America The Nestlé concept of corporate social responsibility as implemented in Latin America Nestec_latin_cover_GB.indd 1 9.2.2006 12:04:25 Nestec_latin_cover_GB.indd Sec1:2 9.2.2006 12:04:26 Contents An introductory discussion 2 A framework for Creating Shared Value 5 Nestlé’s philosophy: a long-term perspective 7 Latin America: challenges and opportunities 9 Overview: Nestlé in Latin America 1 1 Agriculture and sourcing 12 Sourcing practices for quality, safety and sustainability Research and development for better yields Knowledge transfer and farm assistance Partnerships for sustainable agriculture 16 17 20 23 Manufacturing and distribution 26 Food safety through improved standards of operations Risk management for food safety — Early Warning System Developing people Labour policies for mutual benefit Creation of development and employment opportunities in the community Improved environmental standards Managing water sustainably 30 31 33 34 Research for consumer benefit Consumer nutrition, health and wellness Knowledge and education for healthy nutrition and lifestyles 52 54 58 Nestlé’s future in Latin America 62 Products and consumers 48 Front, inside and back covers: Farmer Rufino Chindicué (front cover) and son Luis (inside back cover) supply milk to Nestlé. Three decades ...
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