Wednesday 22 April 2015

Good news stories



I’m currently editing three experiences of cashew / mango / paddy growers in India who joined an organic / Fair Trade project that has turned their lives around.  Their production techniques have improved through trainings, they are part of transparent value chains (and not selling on spot markets), they are no longer using dangerous chemicals and their self-confidence has increased  (one has started a plant nursery as side business). It’s part of a Swiss funded development project that recruited 4000 cashew farmers and linked them to an existing organic cashew processing plant that wanted to develop export links to Europe.   It’s really heartening to deal with good news stories when the papers are so full of bad news and seemingly insurmountable problems and obstacles.  It also reminds me of the importance of buying organic and Fair Trade produce even when the price is higher.  It's not just about avoiding pesticide residues or antibiotics but about having a less opportunistic, less  destructive and more transparent production and trading system.

No comments: