According to a new report by the Fairtrade Foundation, farmers in the developing world have come under intense strain amid skyrocketing prices for food, fuel and fertiliser. The report, which includes interviews with farmers’ groups in Uganda, Malawi, Nicaragua, India, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean, claims that houshold budgets for many farmers in these areas have been adjusted to allot 80% of their entire domestic income toward the purchasing of food.
What’s more, the report states that the devastating effects of the rise in the price of food staples on their families and livelihoods has not been off-set by the rises in the price of export commodities such as vanilla, coffee, tea or sugar.
This BBC News article discusses the report’s findings and examines arguments made both for and against applying fair trade measures on the global market to alleviate food prices.
Having read the article, what effect do you think fair trade measures might have on farmers in the developing world? Share your reactions and questions in the comments section of this blog post.
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Do you have a question about food security you would like to hear addressed at the Town Hall? Click on the “Town Hall Questions” link to the right to submit a question and learn about this special event. Posted questions may be presented to the panelists at the Town Hall on April 4th.
