Community Development Projects
Fair TSA's most inspiring feature are the Community Development Projects. Each Fair Trade purchase brings a premium dedicated to the projects. The premium is directly paid to the certified operation or group; expenses are verified during the FairTSA inspections.
The FairTSA Fair Trade program is designed to be successful with minimal external input. We provide support for both compliance and development projects so as to create a level playing field for all producers and their organizations. Our community development concept is based in part on elements used by Future Search, a large group planning method that emphasizes the need to have the "whole system in the room", meaning that all stakeholders need to be involved. Another aspect is emphasizing common ground and shared goals. Such projects can invigorate a community if people can participate in the planning process and the decision making. We suggest starting with a small project; something that mobilizes local resources, invites volunteers and other engagement. If materials and expertise are required it should be local as much as possible. We are often amazed about the community processes and are pleased to present a selection of project examples.
Below you will find a “taste” of actual of projects to demonstrate the wide range and after that a short description per producer with a link to the respective producer report.
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Solar Power
Several communities have chosen projects involving electricity. In the absence of electrical lines, solar power is a natural choice. In the Philippines, solar power units were purchased so farmers can charge their cell phones and receive communication about when the banana truck will arrive. Until then, farmers spent several hours walking to the next charging station. Since installation, the units also provide light, power other devices, and with that, raise the standard of living. That was in 2014. Currently Celebes Coconut is providing whole villages with solar lighting. The 2023 project will light seven villages with a total of some 30,000 inhabitants. This project is a great example how the projects create a dynamic of their own. Yes, the Community Development Fee provides capital to be used for such purposes, but once started, people get inspired and other contributions flow in.
In this case these high numbers of beneficiaries are possible because municipalities and volunteers join forces in assembling and installing the lighting. For a complete report of this project, click here.
Food Security
We promote food security programs for farm workers. Prodosa makes a portion of the land that is currently not cultivated available for workers so they can grow their own vegetables. Seeds, a seminar to introduce vegetable growing, and the land is provided at no cost.
Coconut seed distribution in the Philippines and Kaffir Lime cutting distribution in Thailand has provided valuable economic opportunity to communities.
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Organic Farming Infastructure
Funding on harvest sites to bring in new farming technology helps farmers to operate more safely and efficiently. Jiangxi in China has been working on the sustainable harvesting of ginger. Meanwhile, Akoma Cooperative in Ghana has invested in Shea Butter manufacturing equipment to help women, the primary producers, become less fatigued in the butter churning process. State of the art milking machines have helped Akshayakalpa to increase productivity and encourage animal welfare.
COFE in Cambodia finished the state of the art rice mill in 2021, pictured below.
Protecting Immigrant Worker Rights
Two of our Dominican banana producer groups have decided to help Haitian immigrant workers obtain work permits.
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In 2016, at a time when the government threatened to deport Haitian immigrant workers, BioTropic's farmer community decided to spend funds for tracking down documents and provide the training needed for applications to work permits.
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Currently, Prodosa is doing the same thing. Most of the workers in banana production are from Haiti and the fear of deportation impacts the whole community. Funds are used to support workers getting work permits.
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Soccer
After severe damage by tropical storms in 2017, workers decided to support producer morale by creating a worker compensation fund for lost wages and investment into an inter-village soccer team. Jerseys and gear were purchased and travel costs to nearby villages covered.
Educational Resources
Producers opt to invest not only in the continued education of their farmers, but support the development of the upcoming generation. Many producers, including La Samaria and Elite Naturel Organic, have built fully enclosed primary schools for the local village.
In a post pandemic world, many schools have opted to offer classes online only. This can act as a huge barrier to access for those without internet access at home. Purplehills Agroexports invested in brand new Acer laptops for each student in their local school.
To be sure all students feel comfortable in school, x opted to distribute fresh uniforms and hygiene products.
Celebes funds the college education of qualifying students with a FairTSA Scholarship each year.
An organic Fair Trade dairy producer in India with programs for young and women farmers to enter the profession. They are also actively promoting the growing of vegetables and leguminous crops such as lentils to provide balanced nutrition and a diversified income stream for the small farmers.
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Click here for their latest report.
Biotropic SRL
Biotropic SRL of the Dominican Republic is a banana producer with an unwavering commitment to its farm workers. Over the years they have created multiple projects to support and legalize their workers.​
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The latest project report. is under construction.
Elite Naturel
Elite Naturel/Organic is a Turkish juice and puree producer ​with a wide product range. For many years now they have shown an extraordinary commitment to the several hundred farmers and wild collectors that grow and collect their raw materials.
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Click here for the latest project report.
La Samaria
A Colombian banana producer whose community development projects includes a water purification plant, improvements to unsafe housing conditions and construction of a classroom for children. ​
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Click here for the latest project report.
Nam Om Community Enterprise Group
Nam Om Community Enterprise Group is a rice-producing cooperative in central Northwestern The cooperative is committed to increasing biodiversity and reforestation of their land. The area they live in has been heavily impacted by intensive agriculture and logging. By including the whole community including children in their efforts, they are committed to building a sustainable future for themselves and their children.
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Click here for the latest project report.
PraTithi Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd.
​PraTithi Organic of Sonipat, Haryana works with farmers in central and southern India. PraTithi has a longstanding history and ample experience in organic and Fair Trade farming. The company’s extraordinary commitment is evidenced by their longstanding programs for farmer training, establishing model farms, empowerment of women, a tree planting drive, and their consistent commitment to working directly with farmers and paying them fair and equitable prices for their products.
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Click here for the latest project report.
Tropic Essences
Tropic Essences works with small chia farmers in the uplands of Nicaragua. Despite the difficult working conditions Tropic​ Essences has maintained its commitment to the farmers and quality products.
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The the latest project report is under construction.
Castanhal Companhia Textil
Castanhal has made it their mission to expand jute production in the Amazon basin in Brazil. They support small farmers with seeds, technical knowledge, equipment and fair prices. ​
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Click here for the latest project report.
Celebes Coconut Corporation (CCC)
CCC is a long-term partner of FairTSA. They work with more than 6,0000 farmers in over 50 villages in Mindanao. CCC has engaged in multiple projects over time, from well-drilling and maintenance to solar lighting for whole villages and live-saving support after typhoons.
Jiangxi Wanzai Organic Foodstuff Co.
Jiangxi Wanzai is the producer of ginger from the People's' Republic of China. ​Their main effort in the last years was to improve ginger cultivation and improving post harvest practices to minimize losses.
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The latest project report is under construction.
Nadi Agriculture Cooperative Ltd.
Foodtech Solutions Thailand, a private Enterprise, decided in 2022 to transfer its operation to a jointly owned member cooperative, Nadi Agriculture. Members are quickly learning new business and management skills. In this case, the democratically elected cooperative Board of Directors assembled a list of equipment needed to properly manage the cooperation, which was then voted on and approved at the annual member meeting.
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Click here for the latest project report.
Peter Paul Philippine Corporation
Founded in 1946, Peter Paul is a producer of coconut products based in Sorsogon, Philippines. They source coconuts from 1,500 farmers working 10,000 hectares of land throughout the southern tip of Luzon.
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Click here for the latest project report.
Prodosa
Prodosa is a banana producer in the north of the Dominican Republic. Most of the workers in the banana production are immigrants from Haiti, often without work permit. One of Prodosa's latest projects is to support all their workers in acquiring proper work permits.
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Click here for their latest report.
