Fairtrade and Sustainability: Motivations for Fairtrade Certification among Smallholder Coffee Growers in Tanzania

Filippa Pyk,Assem Abu Hatab

doi:10.3390/su10051551

Filippa Pyk, Assem Abu Hatab

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051551

Copy DOI

Abstract

Drawing on a survey of 148 Fairtrade-certified smallholder coffee farmers in the Kagera region of Tanzania, a quantitative investigation was performed on the farmers’ motivations for Fairtrade certification. A factor analysis approach was used to analyze the importance of economic, social, and environmental motivations in farmers’ decision-making on Fairtrade-labeled coffee certification. Moreover, three ordered logit models were estimated to assess the determinants of motivational behavior for Fairtrade certification among different socioeconomic groups in the survey sample. Overall, the results indicate that Fairtrade certification is predominantly economically motivated. Particularly, farmers are relatively less environmentally motivated to adopt the Fairtrade system. However, female coffee farmers are significantly more environmentally driven to adopt Fairtrade certification. Surprisingly, the results suggest that farmers’ level of education has no significant influence on their motivation for Fairtrade certification. Moreover, lower-income and smaller-scale coffee farmers are less economically and environmentally motivated for Fairtrade certification. In light of these findings, we suggest that efforts to promote Fairtrade certification among smallholder growers should be designed in ways that balance economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Furthermore, the findings call for targeted measures to strengthen Fairtrade’s commitment to empowering disadvantaged smallholder farmers, including women, to achieve sustainable development goals in the region.

Highlights

Agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) already face considerable challenges due to population growth, urbanization, natural resource degradation, volatile food prices, and changes in consumer diets, among others [1]
Certification, (5) major perceived obstacles and problems encountered in the FT business, (6) the role of institutions and the assistance provided by Tanzanian coffee authorities to promote FT certified coffee production, and (7) farmers’ views on how to promote a business-friendly environment for small growers of FT-certified coffee in Tanzania
A quantitative investigation based on a sample of 148 FT-certified small coffee farmers in Tanzania was undertaken to analyze the farmers’ motivations for FT certification

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) already face considerable challenges due to population growth, urbanization, natural resource degradation, volatile food prices, and changes in consumer diets, among others [1]. While most livelihoods in SSA rely heavily on agriculture and natural resources, these burgeoning challenges will have further significant implications for food security in SSA countries, and may jeopardize efforts to reduce poverty and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the region [3]. In this context, building a more sustainable agricultural system has gained increasing relevance to policy and practice, and has become a principal endeavor for agricultural research as a way to adapt to environmental changes, foster food security, and meet the needs of the increasing population [4]. As Antunes et al [5] note, such sustainable agricultural systems should adopt farming practices that conserve natural resources and protect the environment, produce efficiently, compete commercially, and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society overall.

Methods

Results

Conclusion