The Impact of Fair Trade Certification on Coffee Farmers and Forests
Author Information
Author(s): David A. Taylor
Primary Institution: Resources for the Future
Hypothesis
Does Fair Trade certification positively affect the health of coffee farmers and the forests where coffee is grown?
Conclusion
Fair Trade certification appears to provide economic benefits to coffee farmers, which may help preserve forest health.
Supporting Evidence
- Fair Trade certification provides a price premium that helps farmers invest in community health.
- Farmers reported that reduced pesticide use improved local health and well-being.
- Awareness of Fair Trade certification among coffee drinkers in the U.S. increased significantly from 2004 to 2007.
- Some cooperatives used Fair Trade premiums to build schools and clinics in their communities.
Takeaway
Fair Trade certification helps coffee farmers earn more money, which can protect the forests where they grow coffee.
Methodology
The study involved informal focus groups and satellite image analysis to assess land use changes in coffee-growing areas.
Limitations
The sample size for some studies was very small, limiting the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on coffee farmers in Mexico and El Salvador.
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