© Dear Farmer

Farmers are at the heart of my work (hence why they're in our name and on our packaging!). Transparency and honesty are something I believe keep me motivated for Dear Farmer. I'm still in the very early stages but have big hopes for the future. Dear Farmer exists to support marginalised farmers through two main pillars:

1• FAIRTRADE WAGES 

Today, worldwide, fair trade producers only make up less than 1% of the 570 million small-scale farmers. That means, 99% of small-scale farmers are working in a model that doesn't guarantee fair prices or provide basic working conditions.[1]

Currently, we pay our farmers 15% above prices set by the farmers themselves. No negotiating or bargaining. By working directly with the farmer, without any middlemen, we can ensure the farmers are receiving their premium and above all build a long-term healthy relationship which we're eternally grateful for (it also positions us as their favourite buddies to receive the freshest produce!)

When I envisioned Dear Farmer, I knew from the beginning that the farmer had to be showcased on the packaging as they deserve the recognition. Using their image does not help us increase sales or any of that sort. It's to show the people behind the produce.

2 • INVESTING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY

Smallholder farmers often don't have access to resources and technologies that could not only ease strenuous tasks, but also improve their future [2]. This year, we are working to invest a part of our revenue into sustainable farming initiatives, by working with farmers and understanding what can supplement workload and improve crop quality. This includes tools like solar dryers and automatic turmeric slicers that support their regenerative and holistic ways of farming rather than tools that industrialise them. In the future, it would also be super cool to look into GIS to improve plant and soil health across their land. 

The fair trade model was built so producers can reinvest that extra income into sustainable farming practices. However, we aim to support them in this area in addition to our fair wages, by working with specialists who are passionate finding about agricultural solutions. Leaving farmers to independently decide and use their income however they feel is best. 

References:

[1] https://www.fao.org/agrifood-economics/en/ 

[2] https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/frontier-technology-issues-frontier-technologies-for-smallholder-farmers-addressing-information-asymmetries-and-deficiencies/