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 Friday, 18th May 2012 

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Fair prices bring better nuts

Details
Created on 21 December 2011

BRATISLAVA (9.12.2011, SME)

 

"A few years ago I thought about the end of growing the nuts, but with fair prices, I can now send my grandchildren to school," says Mwangoji, a farmer from Taita in south-eastern Kenya. In 2005, he got 50 Kenyan shillings per kilo of his nuts, but in 2006  the price per kilo has slashed and for macadamia nuts he only got eighteen shillings. If the price is less than 30 shillings, Mwangoji is in loss. He therefore decided that next year he will not invest money in fertilizer and watering. In the following year, the price is forfeited to fifteen shillings per kilo.

 

The Organization Ten Senses, a Slovak pioneer in Fair Trade, started to cooperate with Mwangoji and 270 farmers in 2009. After a year and half the association of farmers received certification, thus creating the first certified Fair Trade cooperative of macadamia nut growers. Mwangoji works as the leader of this cooperative.

 

According to the rules of Fair Trade is a group of growers from Tait guaranteed a price of 35 shillings per kilogram of macadamia nuts, even if their price falls. Kenya is one of the largest producers of quality macadamia nuts in the world. In 2010, the team of Taita Fair Trade cooperative members revenue reached growth of 20% due to stable prices and better products. Demand for nuts from consumers in Europe or America has increased. The company Ten Senses also contributes an amount of five shillings per kilogram for operating costs and another five shillings to support community projects such as building schools, roads, wells and hospitals. Ten Senses also provides training to growers and growing support, through which farmers can produce better products.

 

ALLAN BUSSARD
Author is the director of slovak Integra Foundation
and president of cooperative Integra Co-op

 For more information in slovak click here