By any stretch of the imagination – the SSN has achieved phenomenal results (see our other recent blog posts) for a project that set out to work towards the empowerment of smallholders and to increase their sustainability and livelihood chances. But the successful ingredients of the SSN are even more impressive when the tiny budget [...]
The LYF has now broadcast 27 weekly farmer radio programmes since Autumn 2011. The radio programmes are already demonstrating a significant impact. For example, smallholder farmers have already changed some of their practices in the cooperatives where the Farmer Field Listening Groups are operating – as a direct result of the SSN. The first 2-4 [...]
One of the biggest problems facing poor smallholders in developing countries is their lack of access to relevant, affordable and timely information on agri-business issues, especially in relation to export markets. This impacts on their ability to engage fairly within both local and global trade. At the same time, the challenges of climate change, food [...]
Great article from Chris Bacon, discussing the future of Fair Trade; and some real dialogue about Fair Trade choices http://www.foodfirst.org/sites/www.foodfirst.org/files/pdf/The_struggle_for_food_justice_in_Fair_Trade_2011-12.pdf
This short blog post brings in to focus the injustice that small farmers in Ethiopia still face – has anything really changed in the industry despite the efforts of the ethical trade movement and the exposure from Black Gold and others. We can make drive better trading practice but there has to be the will [...]
Here at the LYF we are really proud of the Oromo Coffee Company. With our Oromo colleagues and other supporters, we set the OCC and, although it’s still a struggle for everyone involved, it’s still going and growing. A truly unique and wonderful social enterprise. This article tells the story of the OCC and of [...]
Graphic showing Coffee Buying By Corporations The major Food Corporations – Sara Lee, Kraft, Nestle and Starbucks buy huge quantities of coffee each year. This graphic helps to put this in context and shows how much of it is (or is not) fair trade.
It’s finally here – the Black Gold Foundation is now up and running and our new website is open for business (www.blackgoldfoundation.org). The BGF is aiming to keep the conversation about trade justice in the coffee industry alive and to encourage dialogue and consensus around the future of coffee trading. Please visit the site, sign [...]
Reaching the Smallholders – Small charity, Big Loud Programme! Climate change, deforestation, food security, droughts, poverty alleviation, export markets, sustainable agriculture, gender, HIV… Is it impossible to reach smallholders in developing countries on all of these issues at the same time? The LYF thinks not … At 8.30 pm last night, the first ever radio [...]
This summer has been the Summer of Love – for not one but TWO – Dukes of Cambridge! The entrepreneur, Geetie Singh, proprietor of London’s famous organic gastro-pub ‘The Duke of Cambridge’ recently fell head over heels for Oromo Coffee Co. coffee (OCC). After being approached by an LYF ‘fan’ and hardcore coffee addict – Geetie [...]
