Eat Ethically Fairtrade gone nuts

Date Published:

23/02/2009

Hannah Williams talks nuts with Dyborn Chibonga from the National Smallholder Farmers' Association of Malawi, co-owners of Liberation, the Fairtrade nut company

How long have you been working with peanut farmers?

I have been working with peanut farmers for 10 years. Before this I was managing a company supplying inputs and implements to farmers in Malawi.

How important is peanut farming to your community and Malawi as a whole?

Very important. Peanuts are grown for two reasons: for food – they provide valuable fats and protein - and for commercial sales. They have always been an important crop in Malawi. They are easy to grow and were traditionally seen as a woman's crop. These days, because there is now an opportunity to develop new markets, men have become more involved in growing and marketing peanuts.

Do many of the farmers in Malawi work with buyers who support the Fairtrade principles?

Not enough. Fairtrade was relatively recently introduced to Malawi. We have some peanut, tea and sugar farmers but we need an awareness campaign so more farmers can benefit from Fairtrade.

How much more money does a Fairtrade farmer earn compared to a non Fairtrade farmer?

This is a difficult question because prices change but the most important thing is that the farmer gets the same price and knows beforehand what the price is going to be. The price is agreed up front. This means they have the security as well as getting a good price, together with the Fairtrade premium of £77 per metric tonne which helps them and helps their communities.

What does that mean in terms of day to day living?

Before they were selling on Fairtrade terms they were selling to traders who weren’t working for the advantage of smallholder farmers. They were 'here today, gone tomorrow'. They might pay a high price for a few tonnes and then they would be gone. The farmers would be left with crop they could not sell which upsets the market and upsets the farmers.

Apart from a better price for nuts what other advantages does working with Fairtrade companies offer?

With Fairtrade you know what volume you are going to sell and the price you will receive which is a sustainable price.

What are conditions like for farmers who are not working with a Fairtrade company?

Farmers who aren't working with a Fairtrade company have an uncertain income. They don't know how, when or even if they will be able to sell their crops. This is a hand to mouth way of existing. Fairtrade gives the farmers more of a business mentality.

Are there any changes or improvements that could still be made with the Fairtrade system?

I find the Fairtrade certification system can take a long time - we have farming associations wanting to join - but we now have a local person working in Zambia to help with this which is very good news.

What would you say to people who are turning away from Fairtrade products to save money?

People need to remember they are not just buying a good, nutritious product but they are giving farmers a better price for their work. Also they shouldn’t immediately think Fairtrade products cost more. Our farmers in Malawi supply the peanuts for Harry's Nuts! - the Fairtrade salted nuts from Harry Hill - and these cost the same as salted peanuts from other companies. But with Harry's Nuts! all the money from sales of the nuts goes to help farming communities.

If people stop buying Fairtrade peanuts what will happen to people who grow and work with peanuts in Malawi?

If they stop they will remove hope from the families, leaving them out in the cold.

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