Fairtrade India, in collaboration with the Fairtrade Network of Asia Pacific Producers, has successfully wrapped up India's first-ever National Fairtrade Conference. This milestone event marks a significant leap towards nurturing sustainable and ethical commerce in India. It highlighted the burgeoning awareness and engagement with the Fairtrade Label across various sectors. Independent research, commissioned by the organization, unveiled a substantial increase in awareness of the Fairtrade Label among SEC A consumers in metropolitan areas, soaring from 10 percent in 2019 to an impressive 25 percent in 2022.
The two-day conference held on October 5 & 6, 2023 at Pullman Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi convened over 150 delegates from diverse segments of the Fairtrade ecosystem, including businesses, producers, partner organizations, industry experts, educational institutions, and consumers.
Mr. Abhishek Jani, CEO of Fairtrade India, shared, "In 2022, Fairtrade Labelled product sales in India reached an impressive Rs 23.93 Crores in Gross Merchandise Value, signaling substantial growth in demand for ethically and sustainably sourced products. These sustainable avenues empower producers and businesses to gain a competitive edge, innovate, and enhance the value proposition for consumers, while simultaneously improving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Across sectors such as FMCG, Fashion, Cosmetics, and HORECA, India's businesses recognize the potential to do business more responsibly, providing a better value proposition to their customers. It appears that in alignment with the Government's Mission LiFE, there is growing traction for Sustainable Consumption and Production in India."
Mr. Jani continued, "Our growing partnerships with renowned brands like Indian Terrain, Being Human, Myntra- Here and Now, LOREAL, Kimirica, Tea Culture of the World, and Makaibari Tea exemplify a shared commitment to promoting better livelihoods, sustainable sourcing, and responsible production. This signifies a new era where ethical values are shaping industry standards and consumer choices."
Fairtrade's approach empowers farmers and workers to have more control over their lives and decide how to invest in their future. As a leader in the global movement to make trade fair, Fairtrade supports businesses and governments, connecting farmers and workers with the people who buy their products on more sustainable terms. By choosing Fairtrade, people can create change through their everyday actions and choices. A product with the FAIRTRADE Mark means producers and businesses have met internationally agreed sustainability standards, independently certified. Farmers and workers have a strong voice at every level of Fairtrade, from how they invest in and run their local organizations to having an equal say in Fairtrade's global decision-making.
Fairtrade NAPP supports and empowers Fairtrade-certified farmers and workers across the Asia Pacific region. The producers share 50% ownership of the Fairtrade system and have an equal voice in all decisions that affect them. As a Producer Network, NAPP ensures their voice is heard in the system. Currently, NAPP has 289 Producer Organizations across 18 countries in the Asia and Pacific Region, supporting more than 260,000 farmers and workers.
Mr. Sanjeet Singh Khurana, Executive Director of Fairtrade NAPP (Asia Pacific), stated, "We operate in 18 countries with 289 Fairtrade-certified producer organizations across Asia-Pacific, including 112 in India, benefiting close to 1,42,202 farmers and workers. A total of Rs 80 crore Fairtrade Premium was generated between 2017-2021, funding Sustainable Development Goals-aligned community projects. Fairtrade India's achievements in 2022 and this conference, which has united our diverse stakeholders, demonstrate a growing commitment to ethical practices in India's markets."
In a notable announcement, Jindal Global Business School was recognized as the first Fairtrade Business School in India. Several prominent Fairtrade business and education sector partners and producers were also honored during the conference, serving as encouragement for diverse institutions to embrace fair trade practices.
Aligned with SDG-12 (sustainable consumption and production pattern) and Mission LiFE (India-led global movement to promote sustainable lifestyles), the event underscored the importance of adopting sustainable practices in businesses and daily lives, focusing on their impact on our society and environment.
Supported by the SWITCH Asia Programme of the European Union for promoting SDG12, Fairtrade India's mission revolves around empowering producers and guiding them toward responsible production practices while ensuring more remunerative market access. The National Fairtrade Conference serves as a testament to the establishment of a secure ecosystem that integrates economic, environmental, and social pillars, fostering a responsible consumer and business movement in the country.
