NRI research confirms that there are tangible, significant and sometimes considerable economic, social, technical, organisational and empowerment benefits to smallholder families and estate workers in Malawi arising from Fairtrade certification. However this situation will only continue in the long term if the benefits are equitably distributed.
The Natural Resources Institute (NRI) is conducting research to understand the impact of Fairtrade in Malawi for smallholders and workers in different sectors.
The assessment began in 2009/10 with five Fairtrade-certified producer and worker organisations that produce tea, sugar and groundnuts, and included interviews with a wide range of Malawian stakeholders. NRI recently undertook the second of three scheduled visits to Malawi to understand the progress of these groups over time.
An additional report has been produced which synthesises the findings at a country level, entitled: 'Taking Root: Fairtrade in Malawi', which is now available to the public. The work is commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation to learn about their impact and to identify how to increase their impact in one of the least-developed countries of Africa.
The NRI synthesis report provides recommendations on changes to the way Fairtrade operates to increase its impact.
Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation wrote: "This report takes us a step forward by helping us learn what has worked well and where more focused support and resources are needed. Above all, this report gives one clear message – that Fairtrade is really starting to take root in Malawi – we now need to help it flourish".