Insights & Stories from the Field

Trade not aid or aid through trade?

Trade not aid or aid through…

Trade not aid or aid through trade? This was the challenge from Tomy Matthew, the promoter of Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK), to a group of visiting Traidcraft campaigners. He…

How Fair Trade can make people first policies competitive

How Fair Trade can make people…

How Fair Trade can make people first policies competitive How Fair Trade can make people first policies competitive (In the image:Some FTAK farmers that I met in Waynaud enjoying life)…

Fair Trade + 3

Fair Trade + 3

Fair Trade + 3 introducing FTAK’s : FAIR TRADE + 3! I recently met up with Tomy Matthew who came over to Edinburgh during Fairtrade Fortnight. Tomy is one of…

Making biodiversity a corner stone

Making biodiversity a corner stone

The first pillar of Fair Trade Alliance Kerala’s Fair Trade + 3 is biodiviersity. The aim: that every FTAK’s farm should be like a tropical rainforest boasting a rich, dense, diversity of…

Emerging Women Leaders in Kerala, India

Emerging Women Leaders in Kerala, India

I am visiting Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK) to understand more about the role of women in the production of cashew and coffee. It is also a chance to learn…

Food sovereignty taking seed in Kerala, India

Food sovereignty taking seed in Kerala,…

After hearing Tomy Mathew, one of the founders and promoters of Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK), present at Twin’s Climate Change roundtable in March this year, I am curious to…

A year’s progress for the women of Pulpally in Kerala

A year’s progress for the women…

In April 2012 I visited Wayanad in Kerala and meet the Pulpally women’s group and learnt about FTAK’s ‘Fairtrade plus 3’ policy, in particular to distribute Fairtrade premiums as loans…

Fair Trade Plus Three: Biodiversity, Food Security, and Gender Equality in Kerala, India

Fair Trade Plus Three: Biodiversity, Food…

Fair Trade Plus Three: Biodiversity, Food Security, and Gender Equality in Kerala, India Fair Trade Plus Three: Biodiversity, Food Security, and Gender Equality in Kerala, India Fair Trade Alliance of…