Regional - Fairtrade Africa

FTA- ECAN: Annual Report- 20201

Regional Annual Report 2020


VisionA world in which all producers can enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential and decide on their future.

Mission• We support our members to strengthen their organiza-

tions in line with Fairtrade Standards;• We will improve and increase our members’ ability to

access Fairtrade markets;• We will engage with our members to advocate for

their interests and take active ownership of the global Fairtrade system.


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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS i

FOREWORD ii

1. REGIONAL OUTLOOK 1

2. OUR PERFORMANCE PER STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4

3. PROJECTS SUMMARY 10

4. UNITED AGAINST COVID-19 30

5. A NEW PLAN FOR A NEW ERA 39

6. LOOKING AHEAD 40

7. REGIONAL ORGANOGRAM 41

FTA- ECAN: annual report- 2020 i

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

B2B Business-to-Business

CETU Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union

CRI Coffee Research Institute

D4A Dignity for All

ECDD Ethiopian Center for Disability Development

EHPEA Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association

FAPAA Fairtrade Africa Premium Alumni Association

FCS Farmers’ Cooperative Society

GAPs Good Agricultural Practices

GIZ German Society for International Cooperation

GREAN Growing Resilient Agricultural Enterprises Now

HLOs Hired Labor Organizations

HML Hazardous Materials List

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

OCFCU Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union

OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

PWDs Persons With Disability

SALMs Sustainable Agricultural Land Management practices

SPOs Small Producers Organizations

WFTO World Fair Trade Organization

FTA- ECAN: annual report- 2020ii

FOREWORDIn 2020, the world and the nature of our work as we know it changed fundamentally following the unprecedented occurrence of a global pandemic; COVID-19. Its impacts were felt differently across the world. For us at Fairtrade, the pandemic saw the significant milestones realized over the years among certified farmer and worker groups threatened.

From disrupted supply chains to loss of livelihood and income among hundreds of thousands of workers and farmers around the region, the pandemic exacerbated challenges already brought on by climate change.

Despite the tragedy of the pandemic, 2020 brought out the best of us, with our friends, partners, and donors pooling together and developing solutions to safeguard the lives of farmers and workers during a precarious

period. In the pages that follow, I invite you to explore this spirit of unity and cohesion.

This Regional Annual Report takes a look at the results achieved through 12 months. It considers our accomplishments against annual plans despite the complications presented by the pandemic. Further, it looks at our flagship projects and the value delivered to farmers and workers, helping them address issues around Climate Change, Working Conditions, Living Income, Living Wage, Youth Inclusion, and more.

The report also captures Fairtrade’s role in holding the thread amidst the pandemic, underpinning our significance in safeguarding the livelihoods and futures of farmers and workers across the region and Africa at large. The stories of Anne Nduta, Kenya; Fidele Mbazumutima, Rwanda; Elizabeth Fulko Kinunda, Tanzania and; Tumukunde Honest, Uganda put this in perspective.

As we kick-start a new strategic period (2021-2025), we remain committed to working with farmers and workers to find a way forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, we are eager to continually innovate in anticipation of ever-changing times and towards our long-standing vision where farmers and workers enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential, and decide on their future.

Thank you for taking a look at our work which continues to be made possible by the support, generosity, and investment of our partners, donors, and Friends of Fairtrade. I urge you to read on and explore more.

Caspar PedoHead of RegionFairtrade Africa - Eastern and Central Africa Network

FTA- ECAN: Annual Report- 2020 6

REGIONAL OUTLOOK


1. REGIONAL OUTLOOK: THE REGION IN NUMBERS

1.1. Certified Producer Organizations In 2020, the total number of Fairtrade certified producer organizations stood at 183. We thank our producers for their continued belief in our work to support them. Under the new strategic period (2021-2025), we recommit ourselves providing them with tranformative, timely and innovative services that will enable them to successfully adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Small Producers Organizations (SPOs)1

32 2

79

1

1 1 6

# of Producer Organizations







Hired Labor Organizations (HLOs)2

1 SPOs: legally registered groups and, in WFTO, other less formally organized structures whose members are primarily small producers/small-scale producers able to engage in commercial activities.2 HLOs: producing companies that are not membership-based (farms, plantations, factories, manufacturing industries, etc) and where the main share of the work is carried out by hired labour.

Total Number of Producer Organisations = 122

65


1.2. Farmers, Workers and Management Reached 2020 was the first of its kind. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic grounded most of our staff whose support to producers is primarily designed around one-on-one engagements.

Technology provided a means to maintain an interface with our producers in the region, facilitating our reach to 7,090 farmers and workers. Of these, 3,691 were farmers/workers and 3,399 management representatives.

The number of producer visits made in 2020 and participant reach per strategic objective. Fairtrade Africa provided services to Fairtrade certified producer organizations along four pillars of the now concluded strategic period; 2016-2020; which included; deliver relevant and valued services to Fairtrade smallholder farmers and workers; build, secure and sustain access to market for members; advocacy and; build a strong, settled producer network

Percentage of workers and farmers reached by gender


OUR PERFORMANCE


2. OUR PERFORMANCE: PER STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

2.1. Farmers, Workers, and Management Reached Our core services to certified producer organizations across the region were provided under this strategic objective.Services included: certification support which aims at enabling producer organizations to effectively implement the Fairtrade Standards for retained certification and consequently sustained access to markets and other benefits that come with Fairtrade certification such as minimum prices and Fairtrade Premium; capacity building for strong organizational structures and good agricultural practices for optimal and sustainable production; training on efficient Fairtrade Premium use and; producer assessments.

Below is a summary of reach in 2020 and some outcomes from activities implemented in the same year:

Revision of the Hazardous MaterialsList (HML) phase out plan

Certification support to producer organizations across the region saw them continue to service Fairtrade contracts secured thus earning them an income towards improved livelihoods of farmers and workers.

Fairtrade Standards

Occupational Health and Safety requirements of the standards on safe use of agrochemicals fostered workplace safety and health in 144 Producer Organizations (POs) in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania through the implementation of the best practices encapsulated in Fairtrade Standards and national laws, enhancing workers’ empowerment and environmental protection.

Working Conditions

In collaboration with producer organizations, we revised the HML phase out plan with producer organizations adopting mechanical weeding as an alternative for glyphosate.


Summary of producers and producer organizations reached in 2020- SO1

2.2 BUILD, SECURE AND SUSTAIN ACCESS TO MARKET FOR OUR MEMBERS

We consistently work with producers and commercial partners around the world to provide value in the form of new markets for produce.

This is pursued through several approaches among them: producer training on marketing; producer support to participate in key marketing events, conferences and exhibitions; linkage with potential buyers and; the development of marketing communication materials for visibility. Below is a summary of our performance in the various segments including wins realized in 2020:

Summary of reach - SO2

Reach: Strategic Ojective 1



Highlights from participation in market events in 2020. Further to the above, we hosted market visits from Fairtrade Canada’s licensees to Sidama Cooperative Union in Ethiopia and Kabng’etuny Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kenya. The visits were aimed at building business partnerships.

2.3. ADVOCACYThrough advocacy, we champion for the rights and the welfare of producers by crafting advocacy agenda and pursuing action through partnerships and networking; campaigns and lobbying; capacity building and; research and documentation. To this end, we took on the new tea regulations introduced by Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture in April of 2020. Together with tea producers from the country, we submitted a position paper to the government through the Agriculture and Food Authority of Kenya. The new law poses a significant threat to Fairtrade sales with the possibility of loss of Fairtrade market for tea producers in Kenya given that it outlaws direct sales.

To enhance our producers’ capacity in public policy advocacy to influence legislation towards a favorable environment for productivity and marketing of their products, we conducted two training sessions targeting product network representatives and country networks. Thus, we successfully reached forty-six (46) producer organizations from the tea, coffee and flowers product categories.

Biofach 2020 Trade Fair: held in Nuremburg, Germany, BIOFACH brought together producer organizations and traders involved in organic production and sales. Bundikakemba Growers Cooperative Society Ltd, a cocoa producer from Uganda, signed a Fairtrade organic contract for 25 mt, a direct output of participating in the fair.


2.4 BUILD A STRONG, SETTLED PRODUCER NETWORKUnder this strategic objective, we strived to enhance our internal capacities to serve our producers better and in line with our constitution that recognizes producers as (50%) shareholders of Fairtrade Africa, we held producer events that are critical in ensuring their representation at the decision-making table.

To this effect, we held our first virtual Congress of Producers in November of 2020. The annual event provides an opportunity to Fairtrade certified producer organizations who have subscribed as members of Fairtrade Africa to share ideas and experiences and elect their representatives to the highest decision-making body, the Africa Assembly.

The congress drew the attendance of 150 participants from 93 producer organizations from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo. Jane Wamaitha Kariuki from Credible Blooms, Kenya was elected to the assembly and; John Githinji (Kenya), John Nuwagaba (Uganda), Samuel Ogina and Kule Baita from Kenya and Uganda respectively, elected as alternative delegates. This event is crucial to ensuring producers’ representation in operations and decision-making at the highest levels in Fairtrade Africa.

3. PROJECTS

Jane Wamaitha Kariuki | KenyaCredible Blooms – Hired Labor Organization (HLO)Jane is an Assistant Technical Manager at Credible Blooms. She holds a B.Sc Horticulture from the University of Eldoret.

John Githinji | KenyaNew Gikaru Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd- Small Producer Organization (SPO) John is the chairman of New Gikaru Fcs Ltd, a coffee producer organization. He holds a BSc. Agricultural Economics from Egerton University. Under his leadership, New Gikaru was voted number 2 in the county in 2018/2019 for best management

John Nuwagaba | UgandaACPCU- Small producer organization He is the chairperson of the Uganda Fairtrade Network.He has also been the General Manager and Board Secretary of Ankole Coffee Producers Coop Union since 2008. John is a coffee farmer and owns a coffee nursery which has distributed over 2,000,000 seedlings. He holds a Degree in Economics and Political Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management in addition to other short courses in management practices among them, good governance, compliance to coffee regulations and production among others.


Samuel Ogina | KenyaFlamingo Horticulture- Hired Labor Organization (HLO)

He is a senior supervisor (Crop protection) at the Naivasha-based flower farm. Samuel has over 10 years of working experience in the flower sector and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management from Daystar University in Nairobi.

Kule Baita | UgandaBukonzo Organic Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union- Small Producer Organization (SPO)

Kule is the Board Secretary Bukonzo Organic Farmers Co-op Union – Kasese, a position he has held since 2010. He is also the founder of Kisagazi Kasese Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society and Uganda Institute of Organic Farming which he established in 2016 and 2002 respectively.


Summary of Reach- SO4

Additionally, 2 country network meetings and 3 product network meetings were held in the year. The forums provide an opportunity to Fairtrade certified producer organizations to exchange ideas, share knowledge and experiences, share plans, and discuss issues affecting them. Fairtrade Africa also utilizes the forums to define focus areas in relation to producer needs and areas of support. Emerging issues from forums held in 2020 revolved around COVID-19 and the challenges it brought about.


PROJECTS SUMMARY


4. SUMMARYTo supplement our services to producers, we fundraise and partner with various institutions and organizations to implement thematic programs that seek to provide solutions to the challenges faced by workers and farmers, limiting their ability to fulfill their full potential.

As a result, Fairtrade Africa - Eastern and Central Africa, takes pride in its robust projects portfolio whose varying goals and objectives we continued to work on in the past year.

3.1 Climate Academy


Project duration: 2017-2020Donors and partners: Max Havelaar Netherlands, Dutch Postcode Lottery Countries: Ethiopia and KenyaTarget right holders: 18,955Objective: to increase the resilience of coffee farmers against the effects of climate change.

Key milestones 2020:

a) Promotion of clean energy and forest conservation

458 energy-efficient cookstoves were distributed to 458 households to minimize carbon emissions in the environment. To date, the project has distributed 2,113 cookstoves to 2,113 households. As a result, Ethiopia’s Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union (OCFCU) got the project registered under the Gold Standard Foundation and Fairtrade Climate Standard certified thus establishing a carbon neutral coffee supply chain. This has enabled the PO to generate additional income for the farmers through the offset of Fairtrade Carbon credits from which they earned a lump sum of 237,500 Euros in 2020. Further, 270 households received solar lanterns thus promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

The project has resulted in 25,000 tons worth of carbon

emission reduction. A single farmer household approximatelyreduces 3 tons of carbon emissions annually**

Dejene Hirpa, Deputy Manager-

Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union

b) Income diversification

Producer Organizations were supported to establish enterprises that will help them generate an extra income to meet immediate family needs as they wait for their coffee proceeds which come once a year.


Income diversification interventions under the Climate Academy Project

c) Climate Change Awareness

We worked with model farmers to spread messages on climate change and mitigation to farmers in project areas and the rest of the country. This was carried out through radio talk show segments on a local station in Kenya and Facebook reaching over 16,000 people who actively engaged project champions from Machakos Cooperative Union and Kabunyeria Farmers' Cooperative Society.

Ethiopia

Kenya

Name of Producer Organization (s)

Supported Income Diversification Projects

Name of Producer Organizations

Supported Income Diversification Projects

Lalisaa Laloo, Mulla’ata Dalletti, Homa Siba, Ula Babu, Bullee Challa and Lalisa Haruu

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625 chicken were distributed to 25 model women cooperative members to promote poultry farming10 beehives were provided to 6 cooperatives each

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Kabunyeria Farmers' Cooperative Society Kibukwo Farmers’ Cooperative Society Kapkiyai Farmer Cooperative SocietyKabng’etuny Farmers’ Cooperative Society

»»»»

Women from the two (2) organizations received items to kick-start their business in event hiring services. The group of 20 women received two 100-seater tents, 200 plastic seats and 2 gazebos.Members received 40 beehives which were set up at demo sites where interested farmers can obtain practical skills on apicultureA 528-capacity egg incubator and brooder were provided to support hatching for improved local breeds for meat and eggs.

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3.2 Flower Enhancement

Project duration: 2016-2022Donors and partners: Fairtrade Switzerland, Fairtrade Germany, Fairtrade Sweden and Fairtrade Foundation Countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, TanzaniaTarget right holders: 67,000 workersObjective: improve Fairtrade Premium use among flower farms; promote gender inclusion and reduce cases of gender-based violence and; improve working conditions by building the capacity of workers to understand their basic rights and promote wage improvements towards a living wage



a) Capacity building

A majority of our efforts in the past year focused on the capacity building of workers and farm management on specific themes:

Pre and post audit certification

Workers’ rights

Fairtrade standards training

15 (physical) and 38 (virtual) training sessions were conducted on Fairtrade (FT) standard requirements reaching 653 workers and management drawn from 55 FT certified organizations

Fairtrade Premium Committee (FPC) support

Members from 37 flower farms in Kenya andUganda received training on Fairtrade Premium management. The sessions play a critical role inensuring that flower farms make sound and inclusive decisions in the utilization of FairtradePremium funds.

54 producer organizations received support which is a critical component that helps them retain Fairtrade Certification and implement various elements of the Fairtrade standard

20 members from Mount Meru flowers inTanzania received training on how to address workers’ issues surrounding: wages, Health and Safety and labour rights. Attended by trade union and management representatives, the training helped facilitate a better understanding ofworkers’ rights and working conditions.

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b) Market Access

Market development for Fairtrade producers is a critical element of our work. To this end, the flower team, supported by the chair of the Fairtrade Africa Premium Alumni Association - Wreford Momanyi participated in the Germany for IPM Essen Expo 2020 where they showcased best practices among Fairtrade certified flower farms. The team further visited commercial partners such as Coop Switzerland and Nordic garden Center Plantagen (Sweden).


Wreford Momanyi at Fairtrade Sweden in February 2020. Wreford is the chair of the Fairtrade Africa Premium Alumni Association (FAPAA) which constitutes of young men and women who have benefited from bursaries through Fairtrade Premium. Born to parents who worked at Longonot Flowers in Kenya, Wreford is one of the beneficiaries. He completed his education, to degree level and now works with KPMG East Africa as a Senior Associate, Technology Consulting.

c) Working Conditions

In 2017, Fairtrade acted to support workers by introducing the Fairtrade Floor Wage in Floricul-ture requiring certified flower farms to adopt the World Bank poverty line of US$1.9 PPP/ day as a minimum floor for the cash wages received by workers. Consequently, the project has consistently lobbied for implementation of floor wages in Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

In 2020, we assessed the impact of these efforts and found that thousands of workers, particularly in Eastern Africa have benefited from wage increments; 70% in Ethiopia, 30% in Tanzania and about 20% in Uganda. As a result, the quality of life has improved for a vast majority of workers, with some of them now able to get into savings and lending schemes which have enabled them to access credit for personal development projects.

FTA- ECAN: Annual Report- 2020 16FTA- ECAN: Annual Report- 2020 16

3 years ago, I used to get less than 1,000 Birr as basic salary,

now I earn 1,890 Birr. A better wage has made it easier to send 3 of my school-going

children to school. Now, I can live a normal life too. I can go to the market, buy more food items

and once in a while buy clothes for myself and my children.”

**Kebebush Gobena-

Ziway Roses, Ethiopia

Workers want to save more so they can borrow substantial

amounts to invest in their own development projects.

**Ambrose Kiwanuka - Wagagai Ltd, Uganda


3.3 Growing Resilient Agricultural Enterprises Now (GREAN)

Project duration: 2017-2020Donors and partners: Vi Agroforestry, Nordic Climate Facility Countries: UgandaTarget right holders: 10,000Objective: to improve sustainable livelihoods for smallholder coffee farmers in Uganda throughclimate change adaptation and mitigation measures


Key project milestones:a) Three(3) cooperative societies

Ankole Coffee Producers Cooperative Union Ltd, Banyankole Kweterana Cooperative Union Ltd, and Kibinge Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd, jointly launched Butonde Coffee- the first 100% Robusta Coffee in Uganda that is Fairtrade certified.

b) 50% increase in median coffee production

per season owing to training and adoption (81%) of Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) practices.

c) Increase in coffee earnings among 98.1% of the right holders:

On average, household income earned per coffee season has doubled from $142 to $273

d) Improved coffee quality

from screen 12 to screen 15 and 18.

e) 50 households supported to set up climate friendly stove business

of these, 58% were youth and 42% women.

f) 804 jobs were created for the youth who further received training on coffee husk briquette making and consequently established enterprises.

g) 250 village savings and loan associations established

facilitating access to finance.

h) 39% improvement in food security where 89% of the right holders indicated availability of nutritious food and a balanced diet.


3.4 Dignity for All (D4A) Programme

Project duration: 2018-2021Donors: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Fairtrade Finland and Aldi UKOther funding partners: Swedish Postcode Lottery, Fairtrade SwedenImplementing Partners: Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), Abilis Foundation, Ethiopian Center for Disability Development (ECDD) and Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU)Country: EthiopiaTarget right holders: 19, 037 workers; 14,782 women and 4,255 menObjective: to improve labor conditions for workers, empower them as well as foster inclusion of female workers and persons with disability in flower farms; and to facilitate a sustainable coffee supply chain in Ethiopia



3.4.1. Coffee Project

a) Market access

In 2020, Bench Maji Coffee Union sold coffee volumes equivalent to 10,000 USD. Purchased by new buyers from Singapore, this market linkage was enabled by the producer’s participation in the 19th African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition which was facilitated by the Dignity for All Programme.

b) Improving coffee productivity

We provided 90 farmers (36 female and 54 male) from Benji Maji Coffee Union with 33,000 coffee and 8,750 tree seedlings. This was aimed at boosting the agronomic practices of the farmers and ultimately increasing the productivity of farmers’ coffee bushes. The intervention is similarly a climate change mitigation measure wherein the distributed coffee seedlings are of a superior variety that is less susceptible to pests and diseases that have become more rampant with climate change.

Coffee plant seeds germinating in a nursery


c) Improving processing capacity at the SPO level

One of the biggest challenges producer organizations face in the coffee processing chain is the huge losses incurred due to inefficient coffee washing stations.

To resolve this, we supported two (2) producer organizations to purchase eco-pulpers. These are anticipated to help reduce coffee defects related to machine damage and at the same time enhance water conversation by reducing volumes used by up to 80%.

A sample vetiver grass embankment. Vetiver grass has been found to reduce contaminants in industrial effluents and domestic wastewater and is therefore becoming an important resource for treating effluent.

In addition, technical support to establish wetlands with vetiver grass embankments saw the same producer organizations mark improvements in their waste disposal. The vetiver wetlands contribute to onsite environmental protection (waste management and disposal) thus contributing to sustainable production practices.

d) Establishing pathways for youth in coffee farming

Youth from three (3) POs participated in training on coffee farming as a business and were subsequently registered under the local government and certified as legal entities to start businesses in the coffee value chain. The 30 youth members (11 female & 19 male) received seed capital and have so far established two (2) agricultural inputs supply units and three (3) nurseries.


3.4.2. Flowers Projecta) Building better working conditions

Since 2019, the D4A programme has invested in capacity building on industrial relations and social dialogue of trade unions in participating Fairtrade certified flower farms.

In 2020, we found that this had led to zero work-stoppages and strikes among the 6 flower farms. In addition, analysis of the changes resulting from this intervention showed that an increased number of workers are utilizing the recommended grievance handling procedures.

b) Taking Fairtrade to policy makers

Fairtrade Africa was represented at the UK Fairtrade Fortnight parliamentarian’s session in London. We took the opportunity to showcase some of the work the Dignity for All Programme is putting towards the empowerment of female flower workers as well as the inclusion of Persons With Disability (PWDs) in the flower sector. With parliamentarians promising to continue legislating policy frameworks that aim at guaranteeing producers dignified livelihoods, we look forward to seeing more actions along the flower supply chains that will empower flower workers to realize a decent livelihood.

Wenedemeneh Engida, the Flowers Project Coordinator showcases Fairtrade flowers from Ethiopia at an ALDI supermarket

outlet during the UK Fairtrade Fortnight event in 2020


c) Women School of Leadership (WSOL)

The second phase of the Women School of Leadership was implemented, recruiting 40 participants who included 10 Persons With Disability (PWDs). Participants were trained on gender issues, entrepreneurship and business management skills.

Trainees were further provided with seed capital to establish small businesses such as soap making, transport as well as the establishment of table banking schemes. This is expected to empower trainees to improve their livelihoods and that of their communities.

Graduates from the 1st phase of the Women School of Leadership during the graduation ceremony at Haile Resort in Ziway,

2019


3.5 Solar Coffee Project

Project duration: 2019-2021Donors: GIZCountry: KenyaTarget right holders: 8 small holder coffee producer organizations Objective: To catalyze the uptake of commercial coffee solar dryers to mitigate the challenges associated with open sun drying


Key milestones 2020:a) Technical review of the existing solar dryer designs

In collaboration with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and Coffee Research Institute, Kenya, we reviewed existing coffee solar dryer designs at Kibirigwi FCS, Kapkiyai FCS and Kabng’etuny FCS in order to develop designs that are appropriate for the local context. Some of the findings include: homogenous coffee drying can be achieved by controlled temperatures within the solar dryers and at the same time solar dryers ensure that coffee parchments are free from possible environmental contaminants such as dusts, insects, and foreign matter in addition to less labor force being required.

The findings will inform the construction of solar driers at designated producer organizations and the learning site at Coffee Research Institute.

b) Coffee solar dryer manual developed

To support producer organizations in the installation of the solar dryers within their facilities, we developed a standard greenhouse solar drier manual which provides guidance on design, installa-tion, operation and maintenance. Trained technical producer organization representatives will henceforth use the document for reference.

c) Institutionalization of training and awareness on coffee solar driers

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coffee Research Institute (CRI). The MoU stipulates roles of each party in the institutionalization of solar coffee driers. CRI is mandated to avail its facilities for training of technicians and offer technical assistance for manual development and design of coffee solar driers whereas Fairtrade Africa is required to oversee the roll out of the solar driers to other coffee producer organizations in Kenya. Solar driers have since been constructed at Coffee Research Institute (CRI) and Kibirigwi FCS and will be used for training purposes.

A solar coffee dryer at Kibirigwi FCS


3.6 East Africa Mutira Youth Project

Project duration: March 2020- October, 2020Donors: Coop UK via the Fairtrade FoundationCountry: KenyaTarget right holders: 61 youth of which 10 are femaleObjective: to create opportunities for involvement of young people in the coffee value chain in Kenya



a) Enabling youth

Youth trainees benefitted from training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). Further, each of them received 50 coffee seedlings from the 200,000-coffee nursery established under the project. It is expected that this coupled with the project interventions where parents have been asked to free up small pieces of land for their younger children provide the initial resources required for the trainees to kick start their coffee growing ventures.

An elderly coffee farmer (center) delivers her cherry at Mutira FCS in Kerugoya, Kenya. Majority of the country’s existing coffee farmers are well advanced in age (averagely 55 years old) threatening the future production of the crop

b) Increased production for better incomes

In addition to the coffee seedlings distributed to youth and other members of the cooperative, Mutira Farmers’ Cooperative Society received support to establish a clonal garden carrying 3,500 scions of two (2) new coffee varieties - Ruiru 11 and Batian which will strengthen the producer organization’s capacity to develop its’ own improved coffee varieties. With most of the cooperative’s farmers still primarily cultivating older varieties whose resilience to changing climatic conditions and emerging pest and diseases is weaker, the new seedlings and coffee varieties will significantly aid in the phasing out of the old and their replacement with more productive varieties hence promising better incomes for farmers.


The coffee nursery established at Mutira FCS. The cooperative will distribute 150,000 seedlings for free to its members. The remaining 50,000 will be sold to non-members, generating an income to sustain the generation of new seedlings and nursery maintenance

“150,000 seedlings will be given to our farmers for

free for them to boost production. Each stem is expected to produce 10 kgs

meaning our farmers will realize 1.5 million more kgs of cherry in the next 3 years.”

**

Boniface Muchiri - Secretary Manager, Mutira FCS,


UNITED AGAINST COVID-19


5. UNITED AGAINST COVID-19: SUPPORTING PRODUCERS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

Like everyone else across the world, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic took producers by storm, undermining most of their businesses which largely rely on specific seasons to make most of their income. The flower sector, for instance, lost out on Mother’s Day and the holiday seasons which are crucial to their business calendar. This, coupled with the drastic limitations in freight capacities due to cross border restrictions bled out flowers and tea producers both. Compounded with the financial demands required to maintain safe and hygienic conditions for workers and farmers, producers have not encountered a more challenging time. In the flower sector, the cumulative series of impacts resulted in furloughs and reduction of pay for workers.

Fairtrade is proud to have stood with farmers and workers in the region and the continent at large. Most importantly, we acknowledge and appreciate the efforts by members across the Fairtrade System, donors and partners who joined forces with us enabling us to roll out three (3) primary relief and resilience mechanisms for farmers and workers.

4.1 Flexibility of Fairtrade Premium UseIn April, we increased flexibility in the Fairtrade standards to enable producer organizations to take immediate action to protect the health and livelihoods of farmers, workers and their communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This enabled producers to use Fairtrade Premium funds more flexibly to minimize the spread of the disease. To access the funds, producers had to submit requests for Exceptional Fairtrade Premium use. Majority of the applications were received from the flower product category which was the most affected by the onset of the global pandemic. Most producers in this category spent Fairtrade Premium funds in purchasing food items for workers, most of whom were on half pay or unpaid leave.

A cross cutting use of the Fairtrade Premium among all producer categories was the installa-tion of handwashing facilities within operational premises as well as the purchase of reusable facemasks, sanitizers, soap and thermometer guns.

Others uses of the Fairtrade Premium were:

• Donations to local government agencies, in either cash or in kind (food and protective equipment)

• Radio campaigns to raise awareness on COVID-19 hygiene and prevention measures

We appreciate Fairtrade for being flexible. We

are now able to make decisions faster especially now in the management of

COVID-19. This will also go a long way in cushioning workers who may lose their income

along the way due to the decline of the market.**Julius Kigamba

Compliance Officer, Oserian Development Company Kenya


Top left: Aurum Roses prepares to hand over bicycles to its workers. Following the ban of public transport in Uganda, the

producer organization purchased bicycles to support its workers’ logistics. Bottom left: Members of Bukonzo Organic in Uganda hand over food and hygiene material to Kasese’s District Commissioner for distribution to vulnerable members

of the community. Right: A worker at Oserian Development Company in Naivasha, Kenya stitches reusable facemasks for distribution to workers.

4.2 Producer Relief FundAs the effects of the pandemic continued to take toll mid-way through the year, members of the Fairtrade system joined hands, pooling together 3.1 M Euros in resources. Channeled through the Fairtrade Producer Relief Fund and Fairtrade Producer Resilience Fund, we invited producers from across the region to apply for the fund, which would further support them to meet the immediate needs of farmers, workers and their communities, while also establishing a foundation for long-term economic recovery efforts.


HOW PRODUCERS USED THE RELIEF FUND

Other funds were directed towards awareness creation among POs and surrounding communities

Majority of the Producer Organizations directed the funds towards the purchase of protective equipment

Applications Received Succesful Applications

116 93Disbursed

¤ 383,363.36

4.3 Recover Africa Project

In 2020, reports from leading institutions such as the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicated that it will take years for countries to recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic. For Fairtrade Africa, this emphasized the need to innovate solutions that would support Producer Organizations through the journey of recovery.

This birthed the Recover Africa project, an endowment fund made possible by the generous support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Targeting 4 countries in Eastern and Central Africa; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, the project seeks to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Fairtrade producers’ health, wellbeing and economic sustainability thorough short-term and long-term interventions. In Eastern and Central Africa, a total of 42 Producer Organizations benefited from this fund, receiving support in the sum of 668,917 Euros for emergency relief and economic and resilience recovery activities.


Number of producer organizations by product who have benefited from the Recover Africa Project and amounts disbursed


CASE STUDIESSUPPORTING PRODUCERS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC


Anne NdutaWildfire Flowers | Naivasha, Kenya

Anne Nduta cleans her cereal shop in readiness for her clients

Anne Nduta Mwangi (32 years) and a single mother of one, is an employee of Wildfire Flowers, Naivasha, Kenya and has been in their employ since 2010. Nduta’s work at Wildfire was very satisfying until the COVID -19 pandemic struck. Wildfire Flowers did not shut down during the period but Covid mitigating measures had a big impact on Nduta and the other workers as bonuses and overtime pay were frozen. Work also became almost futile as workers harvested flowers and disposed of them immediately, as a result of halts to international air freight operations.

Wildifre Flowers was one of the recipients of the Recover Africa fund receiving Euros 15,000 to go towards setting up a rotational fund to support workers to set up Alternative Income Generating Activities to supplement dwindled incomes. Nduta received Kshs. 10,000 from the kitty which used to set up a cereal store in Naivasha. At the end of each working day, Nduta opens her shop to serve members of the community. Proceeds from the shop enabled Nduta to meet nutritional needs for herself and her child as well as meet obligations such as rent and electricity bills while putting aside some savings for a rainy day.


Fidele MbazumutimaAbahuzamugambi Cooperative | Simbi, Rwanda

Mbazumutima Fidele,30, feeding livestock at his home in Nyarukarazo, Rwanda. Fidele received the goat through the Recover Africa Project.

Fidele Mbazumutima is a 30-year-old father of two. He currently lives in Nyarukuzo village in the South of Rwanda.

Mbazumutima owns a coffee farm in Simbi region and joined Abahuzamugambi Cooperative in 2016. He has accomplished a lot from coffee farming, enabling him to invest in fruits and vegetable farming.

However, his fruits business was heavily affected by Covid-19 restrictions because he could not sell the fruits at the market like before. He made heavy losses and was left with unsold produce.

Under the Recover Africa fund members of Abahuzamugambi Cooperative each received a goat which upon maturity can be sold off at the market and fetch a good price. Mbazumutima was very happy to receive a goat. He plans to breed the goat to grow the number of his farm animals and utilize it for manure for his coffee and fruit farm.


Elizabeth Fulko Kinunda Mahenge AMCOS | Mbinga, Tanzania

Elizabeth participates in a coffee tree grafting training. “In the past, we used to uproot unproductive coffee trees, but after training, we will not uproot the trees, instead we will graft them,” Elizabeth Fulko, Mahenge, AMCOS Mbinga

Mahenge AMCOS Mbinga in Tanzania received 40 million shillings (Tshs.) through the Recover Africa project to run various trainings for their members to empower them to cope with the effects of the pandemic. The producer organization provided training on fruit, coffee and indigenous tree planting. The aim was to help coffee farmers diversify their crop for increased income streams. Additionally, part of the funds went towards training members on soap and batik making.

Elizabeth Fulko Kinunda (43), a mother of five from Mbinga, Ruvuma, Tanzania is a member of Mahenge AMCOS Mbinga. She earns her living through coffee farming which is her main crop. Like other members of the producer organization, she benefited from the Recover Africa initiatives implemented, receiving training on coffee grafting and batik making.

“Covid 19 has weakened the coffee market, however in the fight against the pandemic, Mahenge AMCOS through the Recover Africa Project has imparted us with Batik making skills as part of our income generating activities,” Elizabeth Fulko, Mahenge AMCOS Mbinga.


Tumukunde HonestKayonza Tea Growers Factory, Uganda

Honest harvesting tea at one of Kayonza’s tea estates. Every day she harvests about 4-5 bags of leaves which are weighed in kilograms with payment made accordingly. The farmers receive their pay after a month which has also enabled them to develop a savings culture

Tumukunde Honest (31), a mother of 1, has been a tea farmer for 5 years. She joined Kayonza Growers Tea Factory after hearing about it for a while. Honest, is one of the farmers at Kayonza who received funds from the Recover Africa Project to support her family during the COVID-19 lockdown. Honest says that most of the funds were used in buying food for her family, and the rest were invested in her groundnuts selling business.

“COVID-19 was bad news to us, we could not even move to go and harvest tea, everything was just not pleasant, I am so thankful I received some money which we used with my family to buy more food during the lockdown, I’m glad we did not starve,” Tumukunde Honest.


6. A NEW PLAN FOR A NEW ERA: 2021-2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

Fairtrade Africa’s new strategic plan is built on the backdrop of new world pressures such as climate change, plateauing markets, increase in the number of new players in ethical trade and consumerism among other factors.

At the same time, it recognizes the tremendous opportunities presented by emerging technolo-gies, particularly in the agricultural sector as well the changing global economic dynamics that have birthed new market frontiers. The new strategic direction, therefore seeks to utilize these to help producers enjoy secure and sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential and decide on their future.

Explore our 2021-2025 strategic plan on our website: https://fairtradeafrica.net/strategic-plan/

https://fairtradeafrica.net/strategic-plan/


7. LOOKING AHEAD: WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2021

In line with the core pillars of the 2021-2025 strategic plan, we as a region look forward to pursuing

results in the following ways:

01

and sales volumes for producers across all product categories. We aim to realize this

through doubling our support in training and facilitation to venture into value addition; as well as enhancing producers’ capacity to deliver

high-quality products for increased markets through quality contests. A key driver of this pillar will be the operationalization of the regional commercial desk which will chart a strategic path and tangible courses of action for the region.

Product and Market Development

02

We will develop a regional advocacy strategy

to

strengthen our voice in various sectors represented by our wide range of producer organizations to influence action in areas

join forces with key actors to facilitate the advancement of workers’ and farmers’ issues in

view of an ever-evolving global market.

Policy and Advocacy

03

In a world that continues to be challenged by ever- increasing impacts of climate change and

characterized by drastic shifts in economic trends, we will identify and adopt new

technologies and innovations to continually bolster the capacity of our producer

organizations to remain viable agri-business operations ensuring that the livelihoods of farmers and workers are sustained.

Sustainable Farming Systems

04

We will endeavor

to enhance value to producers. We will do so through continuous capacity

delivery. Additionally, we will

pursue project partnerships with market and development

partners to address the diverse range of factors and issues that remain bottlenecks to the

socio-economic growth of our producers and workers around the region.

Transformed and Strengthened Producer organizations


8. REGIONAL ORGANOGRAM


Tel: +254 (0)20 2721930P.O BOX 3308- 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Westcom Point Building, 6th Floor Block C, Mahiga Mairu Avenue, Westlandswww.fairtradeafrica.net

Documents

Regional - Fairtrade Africa