Leading the way on biodiversity and sustainable farming - the latest from Asia Pacific
Fairtrade farmers in the Asia Pacific region are doing their part to implement sustainable agricultural practices. They are actively involved in projects and initiatives that not only support the livelihoods of their workers but that also promote environmental health.
These farmers in the Asia Pacific region are supported by producer network Fairtrade NAPP, which represents 172,200 farmers located in 19 countries, and together they are making a difference.
Here are some recent projects supported by Fairtrade NAPP:
Learning about biodiversity through a field visit
To help instil a sense of responsibility and stewardship in future farm workers, Fairtrade NAPP and Horana Plantations in Sri Lanka, organised a farm visit for young adults so they could experience first-hand the existing ecological issues in farming. The group of 18 young adults also participated in sessions on planting techniques and effective plant protection methods. They also learned about the importance of mulching and its role in promoting healthy plant growth. Read more about how these young adults immersed themselves in the practical aspects of biodiversity restoration.
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Moving towards solar energy
Meanwhile in an inspiring move toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience, the Fairtrade Pineapple Growers’ Group in Thailand successfully distributed solar panels and water pumps to 39 farmer members who now have access to renewable energy solutions. “This project reduces air pollution by eliminating the need for fuel-powered watering systems. It also provides a solution in areas without electricity,” said Nipalin Muang Mai, one of the farmers who benefitted from the project. Learn about the long term impact of this project and the stability it provides to the Fairtrade pineapple supply chain.
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Soil carbon sequestration in sugarcane farming
Fairtrade NAPP also partnered with the Nakornphet Fairtrade Sugarcane Group to advance sustainable practices, including soil carbon sequestration, in sugarcane farming in Thailand. Together, thanks to their financial contributions, they developed and implemented an approach to agriculture that aligns productivity with environmental care. For example, instead of the relying on the conventional practice of burning fields after harvest season, farmers are now enriching the soil by returning organic material back to the land. The funding has also provided them with access to modern equipment, like tractor-trailer sprayers and bio-extract tanks, that have made improving soil health, increasing carbon storage, and reducing dependence on harmful herbicides possible. Find out about how Fairtrade is cultivating a resilient, eco-conscious sugarcane farming culture.
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Fairtrade’s producer networks, such as Fairtrade NAPP, Fairtrade Africa, and CLAC, are at the centre of the Fairtrade system. They not only support certified farmers in their various projects and initiatives, but they also represent small-scale producers and workers to ensure they have an equal voice in the decisions that affect them.