Discovering the Greatness of Philippine Mango
BY CHRISTINA ROESL
The first time I read the
title FAIR TRADE , I asked
myself, how can they connect two words, which are like
fire and water.
Since we can remember, the interest of trade has been the cause of
conflicts, civil discontent and even war. Trade divided our world into two,
north and south, the first world and the third world. It was then, when I
asked myself, how to change this history, as there exist always two ways to
choose.
I have the honour to learn from a collaborator of INTERMON OXFAM
Spain. I want to speak to you about the PREDA FAIR TRADE
in Olongapo City, Filippines. www.preda.org.
Since seven years, PREDA is promoting the Fair trade of Mango and
they found out, that this industry was controlled by a group of rich
families, which dictated the buying prices. Promoting the product of dried
mango and mango juice, elaborated on a 100% organic base, PREDA reached
to buy important quotes in the market . Since the beginning they
decided to pay higher prices than the artificial cartels.
This way, they obtained to rise
the level of the buying price in the market .Preda's elaboration of their
products is different to others. The farmers don't use pesticides. They
protect the baby fruit with a paper bag made out of recycled newspaper, this
way they avoid the vermin and they don't poison the fruit. The mango fruit
is rich in vitamin C, calcium and magnesium, which is highly recommended for
pregnant women and also relax the muscles. The organic elaboration give them
a very rich taste. One mature, large mango tree, earn enough money to send a
family one year to school and to buy them clothes.
Not everyone is appreciating the agriculture of mango, as the past
showed us. A big , foreign international Company wanted the land of some
farmers in order to built their coal fired power station. The farmers came
to PREDA, asking for help. They organized important, peaceful demonstrations
against this project.. The government offered money to the farmers,
naturally less, than the actual value of the land. The farmers said " We
don't want money, we cant buy the clear air and the clean sea with money"
Finally they offered to them another piece of land, much smaller and without
big trees.
They started from zero. With the help of PREDA, today the once more
have their harvest, which permit them
to live in dignity. I think this are good examples to show the
difference between TRADE and FAIR TRADE.
It is a movement , which stands against exploitation and avarice,
showing that trading relationship should be based on justice, equality and
human rights.
This is how it should be, its wonderful and so difficult to reach
and we don't see the way.
A song of the Catalan singer Joan Manuel Serrat says " Wanderer,
there is no way, the way you are doing by walking "
I wish to invite you to join me,
choosing this "different way".
Christina, is a resident of Valencia ,Spain and spent three weeks with the PREDA Fair Trade Department. She sent us this article on her experience of PREDA Fair Trade. -Editor.
|
Fast Links: |
