Fair Trade Alliance Kerala (FTAK) is one of the six case studies selected by the Geofairtrade Project. It was founded in 2006 and has already 3600 members. FTAK draws its membership and character from mass movements of farmers in Kerala, struggling against rural appropriation and farmers' indebtedness.

Half of the farmers are certified organic and FTAK aims for 100% farmers being organic. FTAK farmers grow a host of tropical products (cashew, coconut palms, coffee, cocoa, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla and other spices) in a harmonious ensemble, which looks like an Eden garden to foreigners. Finding a market for each fair-trade certified crop has been a challenge, since fair-trade prices are higher than those for conventional goods.

A partnership with Elements Homestead Products Pvt. Ltd and its marketing associate in the Northern Hemisphere, Pakka AG , a Swiss ethical business initiative, allowed for market access, pre-financing, quality guidance, market information and promotion of FTAK's products.

Elements Homestead Products is ensuring that the high-quality crops undergo a fine post-harvest processing, generally in third-party industries. The cashew crop goes through a cumbersome process to peel the tasty nut out of its reluctant shell in a factory in Northern Kerala. Pakka AG coats the cashew nuts with organic and fair-trade spices under its own brand. Coffee is shelled, graded and bagged in facilities adapted to the quality required by the speciality market.

The marketing success not only improves farmers' incomes, but also empowers the FTAK general assembly and its board to realise projects for the social wellbeing of the farming communities. A community kitchen, solar panels and bicycles for schools are typical examples. A revolving micro-credit fund was set up in a remote and disadvantaged area for farmers, whose crop and livelihoods were devastated by a new crop disease.

FTAK hopes that the Geofairtrade project will allow to highlight its efforts in promoting the traditional agriculture as a sustainable livelihood for the Kerali people. Linking up marketing data, geographical data and information on sustainable development will also help FTAK to provide better services to their farmers, and improve their product traceability to be shared with their clients.

Andres Tschannen, Pakka AG