Overview

This project identifies the challenges and opportunities for integrating emerging farmers into Fair Trade and associated value-added activities. We focus on rooibos which can be cultivated in arid soils with little capital investment. The project fosters racial equity and combats poverty in one of South Africa’s poorest regions and promotes gender equity, recognizing that women play a key role as farmers and household workers yet are often the most disadvantaged. We build the organizational capacity of the Rooibos Council, establishing an Emerging Farmer Working Group, including a women’s networking group, and provide training in certified and value-added market access, biodiversity preservation, and fiscal management. The project directly benefits 500 farmers and family members; we extend benefits via policy engagement at national and international levels.