Producer story

Windward Islands farmers: doing it for themselves

It was a mere piece of paper with some signatures on it, but for Marcella Harris and the other members of the Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA), the signing of their first ever sales and purchases agreement a little over a year ago was the culmination of nearly two decades of struggle – legal, financial and personal.

More than 20 years of EU reforms culminated in a crisis for the banana industry – a mainstay of Island economies for more than 40 years, and at its peak providing an income for more than 25,000 farmers on St Vincent, St Lucia and Dominica. Numbers dwindled to 4,000 farmers with a drastic impact on livelihoods, employment and national economies. This crisis had its roots in the 1990s when EU reform gradually removed the protection given to Caribbean bananas which reflected historic relationships with EU states like the UK. These relationships had bolstered development in the Islands. The market was opened up to increased competition from lower-cost Latin American bananas.

Around 3,000 farmers are represented by WINFA. They were stuck at the end of a supply chain from which they gained little profit. For years they wanted to move up the chain and last year they finally could.

The old chain meant that WINFA farmers grew the bananas, and were compelled by law to sell them to banana companies on the Islands. These companies had the legal role of merely buying bananas and selling them on to WIBDECO (Windward Islands Banana Development and Export Corporation) for export. They also provided fertilizer and other farming services. In 2009, one year on from the agreement, things are looking up. WINFA now has control of the supply chain, from product up to export. New members of staff have been hired on the Islands; technical staff have been trained, and departments such as Pest Control and Payments set up.

Better communication and understanding of the banana industry means the farmers now have an improved and more open relationship with WIBDECO. The farmers are also now in a stronger position to increase their income, directly receiving the Fairtrade minimum price as well as the premium for social development projects. ‘WINFA and Fairtrade have seized the opportunity for producers to control their destiny and their business’, says Marcella Harris, President of WINFA. ‘For us in the movement, there can be no greater challenge than that of fighting for the right to work, the dignity of earning a livelihood, providing for our families and contributing to the development of our communities, and by extension our countries.’

As well as help with farming through the purchase of tools and materials, the residents of the islands have been able to renovate community centres, purchase education and leisure equipment for their nurseries and schools, and fund health insurance and education projects.

This year, WINFA members in St Vincent have purchased a bus for the school children, mirroring a similar achievement by their counterparts in Dominica recently. ‘That is truly making Fairtrade work!’ says Renwick Rose, WINFA Co-ordinator. Fairtrade is not only helping to sustain and develop the industry for future generations, but is also improving everyday life for the communities on the islands.

 Windward Islands Fairtrade bananas are available from: Asda, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Marks & Spencers, Tesco

© Fairtrade Foundation