The Advantages and Disadvantages of Tea Production in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda in Relation to Fair-Trade
B.A (hons)
Youth Work and Community Development
Level 4
The advantages and disadvantages
Of tea production in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda
In relation to fair-trade
Word Count (excluding direct quotes and bibliography) – 2497
Introduction
In this essay I will begin by explaining a brief history of fair trade and the labelling scheme. I will then go on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fair trade tea production in 3 African countries. These will include Kenya, Malawi and Uganda. I am discussing the issues in these 3 countries under 3 separate headings. I will give a brief introduction to each countries population and their tea production. I will then be focusing on what positive and negative issues they may have regarding tea production in relation to fair trade. I will conclude by discussing ways in which we can give these African countries more support through consuming fair-trade products and also what challenges they may face.
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas,
Cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate and gold.
The concept of ‘fair trade’ has been around for over 40 years according to fine but a formal labelling scheme that didn’t get off the ground until the late 1980s and early 90’s. From then on the fair trade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) was established in Bonn, Germany to unite the labelling initiatives under one umbrella and establish worldwide standards and certification and by 2007 the FLO had launched a new International fair trade Certification Mark. FLO split into two independent organizations: FLO International, which sets
Youth Work and Community Development
Level 4
The advantages and disadvantages
Of tea production in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda
In relation to fair-trade
Word Count (excluding direct quotes and bibliography) – 2497
Introduction
In this essay I will begin by explaining a brief history of fair trade and the labelling scheme. I will then go on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fair trade tea production in 3 African countries. These will include Kenya, Malawi and Uganda. I am discussing the issues in these 3 countries under 3 separate headings. I will give a brief introduction to each countries population and their tea production. I will then be focusing on what positive and negative issues they may have regarding tea production in relation to fair trade. I will conclude by discussing ways in which we can give these African countries more support through consuming fair-trade products and also what challenges they may face.
Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas,
Cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate and gold.
The concept of ‘fair trade’ has been around for over 40 years according to fine but a formal labelling scheme that didn’t get off the ground until the late 1980s and early 90’s. From then on the fair trade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) was established in Bonn, Germany to unite the labelling initiatives under one umbrella and establish worldwide standards and certification and by 2007 the FLO had launched a new International fair trade Certification Mark. FLO split into two independent organizations: FLO International, which sets
Bibliography: Bureau of International Labour Affairs 2010. Available from [http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/sweat2/commercial.htm] Accessed Dec 10, 2010. Dolan, C. (2005a) Fields of obligation: Rooting ethical consumption in Kenyan horticulture, Journal of consumer culture, 5(3), pp. 411-437. Kitching, S, 2002. The tea market and production in Africa, African beverages project Report number 2. Available from [www.africa-beverages.org.uk] Accessed on 29 Dec 2010. Lyon, F. & Porter, G. (2007) Market institutions, trusts and norms: exploring moral economies in Nigerian food systems, Cambridge journal of economics, Advance Access (June), pp. 1-18. Odoch, M. (2008) Fair-trade and tea, A comparative analysis of value chains in Uganda. Available from [http://edepot.wur.nl/331] Accessed on Dec 29 2010.