15 April,2015 08:22 AM IST | | Soma Das
If you’re keen to give back to India’s farmers, shop for Fairtrade India’s products that are now available in stores across the country and online
Products by Fairtrade India
The concept of fairtrade emphasises on making a difference through everyday choices by ensuring that the products you buy, enable the producers to share in the benefits of trade. With this aim in mind, Fairtrade India was launched in 2013 to engage the Indian civil society in a global movement that supports marginal farmers and workers.
Products by Fairtrade India
"It's about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers. Fairtrade aims to enable the poorest farmers and workers to improve their position and have more control over their lives," states Abhishek Jani, CEO, Fairtrade India.
Abhishek Jani
Fairtrade India products are now available in shops across the country and include Oothu black and green tea, Ambootia range of Darjeeling teas, coffee, Malabar spices from Manarcadu Social Service Society, and a variety of rice from different producers. In cotton, they have a range of cotton apparel from No Nasties and Dibella India. Starting next month, apparel brands, Do U Speak Green and Samtana will appear in retail stores across major Indian cities and on websites.
The numbers add up Globally, Fairtrade is working with 1.4 million farmers and workers. In India, they are working with over 1,20,000 Fairtrade producers who grow coffee, tea, rice, spices and cotton. There are over 70 Fairtrade-certified producer organisations active in India. In 2011-12, producer groups received Rs 19.40 crore as the Fairtrade Premium, an amount that the farmers and producers receive over the minimum price and is invested in improving living and working conditions.
"In India, we have about 50 products and we are continuously adding more to the range. We are looking at fostering a sustainable, ethical and responsible consumer movement by gradually creating a significant range of Fairtrade products over the next few years. We are hopeful that people will support farmers and workers through their purchase choices," adds Jani.
Fairtrade pricing is competitive too. "In some cases, for instance, a 125 gram pack of Oothu Green Tea costs '125, which is slightly cheaper than many premium green teas in the market. More importantly, whatever the price of the product on the shelf, the Fairtrade mark ensures that the producers have received what has been agreed to be a fairer price, as well as the social premiums to invest in the future of their communities," assures Jani.
