Project Fair & Good
Ensuring the future with responsible action
In 1997, we added the first organic rice to our range. 5 years later, we began to procure fairtrade rice, first from Thailand, a year later from India. We are convinced that sustainable rice is the best choice for both producers and consumers. And because we believe that the combination of organic and fairtrade is ideal, we launched a unique project in 2011: the 'fair & good' sustainability project in India and Thailand. This project is also supported by Coop, Helvetas and other partners.
Project fair&good
We work with Thai farmers who live in the dry north-east of Thailand, and Indian farmers who live in the north of India, in the so-called Foothills of the Himalayas, and grow high-quality organic rice. The traditional rice varieties - jasmine and basmati rice - are produced according to strict organic guidelines as well as our own sustainable guidelines.
Continuous training and support for farmers' own competencies are important foundations for the success of the project, which now includes over 4000 small farmers. They farm their land, small areas of an average of 1 hectare, manually or by means of equipment they share with other farmers from the cooperative. The farmers can market their products under the Fairtrade label of Fairtrade International (FLOCERT).
The Fairtrade-minimum price enables financial stability and serves as a safety net in case of fluctuations in prices. The Fairtrade premiums can be used to finance investments in the infrastructure of the cooperative or in general projects in the individual villages.
On-site project support and regular motivation visits are important pillars of the project. In this way, we ensure that the well-being of the individual farmers and of the community can be maintained. The "fair & good" riceproject thus positively affects the people and the environment and secures their future. With the purchase of these delicious rice varieties more and more conscious consumers are improving the living conditions of the rice farmers.
Results of the project at a glance
- More biodiversity
- Increase harvest yield
- Secure and up to 30% higher total income of farmers
- Additional income by marketing of vegetables and other crop rotation products
- Water consumption reduced by 30%
- Reduction of greenhouse gases by 20-30%
- More cooperation among farmers
- Realization of Community projects and improvement of the infrastructure through fairtrade premium
Project overview:
Spirit of Asia
14 different rice specialities - this unique range adds enjoyment and variety to health-conscious cuisine with the best organic and Fair Trade quality.
Impressions from Thailand
Impressions from India
07.09.2020 - Sustainability Project News
Thailand, OASIS
In collaboration with OASIS, the innovation-initiative was brought to life in 2019 to give farmers the option of optimizing their water infrastructure. This year, 23 families from Thailand have participated and improved their water supplies, as well as their way to transport and distribute the water. The following investments have been made by farmers:
- 9 enlargened ponds
- 7 newly installed solar power systems
- 3 new ponds
- 2 newly built borewell recharge pits
- 1 new water delivery system (pipes, pumps)
- 1 repaired water canal
With these adjustments, it is ensured that water supplies can be used and saved optimally. The water can be distributed more efficiently with canals, pumps, pipes and solar panels. Not only do these changes have a positive impact on the paddy fields, but also on the surrounding villages.
India, Nature Bio Foods
More than 900 farmers from 49 different villages have been trained in five zoom sessions by a professor from the Indian GB Pant University. They covered topics such as water efficient techniques, composting, cultivation methods, managing weeds, pest and disease management and water stewardship.
On the rice fields, 102 demonstrations took place to prove the impact of different cultivation methods, such as SRI, AWD, DSR and CF. In order to support the watersaving 'Alternate Wetting and Drying' method, 1000 tubes were ordered and distributed to farmers. Additionally, some repair and construction work has taken conducted in different villages.
The laser land leveling, which was undertaken in Uttar Pradesh in 2019, is expected to save around one million liters of groundwater per year.
21.01.2020 - Rubber boots for Indian rice farmers
Within the framework of the Indian Fair Trade project, the farmers receive rubber boots as a special bonus. In addition to dry feet, the aim is also to protect the rice farmers from snake bites. More information can be found in the German text of the Coop newspaper from KW4/2020
29.08.2019 - OASIS Update, Thailand
Some farmers participate in the innovation initiative in which through mechanization and innovative farming methods the productivity and profitability are increased. For this reason, mechanical weeders, pumps and pipes are procured, water ponds are built, laser land leveling is used and various training sessions are carried out. 295 farmers have already been trained in water management to use water resources efficiently. Likewise, 84 soil samples were taken to detect the soil nutrients. In addition, a 'Borewell Recharge Pit' has been set up to collect, filter and reuse rainwater and thus protect the groundwater.
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29.08.2019 - Nature Bio Foods Update, India
Mechanization is constantly being driven forward to reduce workload and increase yields. In the Uttar Pradesh region, laser land leveling has already been used on 1000 farms (1600 ha). This reduces height differences in the field and achieves significant water savings. The 'Organic Agriculture Service Centers' in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are constantly being expanded with tools and machinery so that farmers can borrow their equipment for field work. Betalghat is experiencing an upswing. Measures are now being examined to further improve the water supply and infrastructure.
