International Fair Trade Association (IFAT)

IFAT's members form a global network of Fair Trade organizations. Member groups come from 70 differennt countries. The mission statement describes their function as:

  • Our mission is to improve the livelihoods and well being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade Organizations, and speaking out for greater justice in world trade.

They focus on the following:

  • Market Development. IFAT brings Fair Trade organizations and members together for mutual inspiration and learning. Learning is encouraged through international and regional conferences, where experiences and information are shared. Regional cooperation among Fair Trade groups is encouraged to help access markets.

  • Fair Trade Monitoring. A three-step monitoring system has been in place since 2002 to help assure the public of the validity of the system. The process consists of self-assessment against the Fair Trade standards, peer review, and external verification. The IFAT mark, shown to the right, is awarded on successful completion of the program. A Sustainable Fair Trade Management System is being designed.

  • Advocacy. IFAT speaks out for Fair Trade issues and collaborates with its members to collect and disseminate information. They work closely with Shared Interest to provide financial services with fair terms to producers to pay for labor, materials, and equipment.

For further information about IFAT, go to their website.

Rice Fund Surin is a small cooperative producing Hom Mali Rice in northeast Thailand, which is noted as the country's finest region for growing that variety. They applied for, and won, Fairtrade Certification in August 2005, which gave them direct access to the international market.

With the money earned as a Fairtrade producer, the cooperative has been able to support new members and help others switch to organic farming. One of the members states, "As an organic farmer, my life has improved dramatically. The quality of my land and of my rice is much better and my family enjoys better health."

Rice Fund Surin is now also able to support educational, cultural, and environmental projects. New trees have been planted in their community forest and children learn about its care and their environment.

Because of their improved financial status, they're able to branch out into other crops, thus reducing their reliance on a single crop and producing income over a wider timespan during the year. Kanya Osori, a coop member, has benefitted. She more than doubled her income in the span of one year by diversifying into organic peanuts, fruits, and vegetables—not to mention a cow. She is now able to send her two daughters to school and set aside a little for emergencies.

Before diversifying their crops, families were often forced to separate for half the year, with members going to the city to earn money during the dry season.