| Popis: |
The manner in which the global agricultural market operates is unjust for the small-scale producers of the South. Intermediary domination of the market dictates that these farmers receive only a pittance of commodity-related profit, while middlemen pocket the lion's share. Fair trade is an initiative which attempts to make participation in the global agricultural market more positive for both small producers and their communities. This study evaluates the extent to which a fair trade approach has benefited coffee producers in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. It also assesses the extent to which it has been successful in yielding positive change at the community level. The study concludes that this fair trade project is effective in helping farmers meet their financial needs. Its effectiveness would be greater, however, if it would both increase its sales through expanded marketing and ensure that only the more needy producers become involved in the initiative. Also, some communities are more ripe than others for development, and this ripeness determines fair trade's ability to bring about positive change at that level. Planners can play an important role in creating the conditions within a community which facilitate that change. |
