More Than Just Fair Trade – Sustainable As Well

by Stephanie Chambers

The Fair Trade movement started out as an endeavor to ensure that producers like farmers in developing countries would be paid a fair price for their goods. However, it has now broadened to helping producers in developing countries achieve better trading conditions, improve social and environmental standards and promote sustainability.

Unfortunately, although this movement started with all good intentions, it has now become rather complex, as there are a number of fair trade organizations and fair trade certifiers, many of which won’t recognize each other.

In terms of essential oil production, Amrita now has farmers, distillers and producers that are now certified as Fair Trade and also striving toward sustainability. Generally, an essential oil producer works with a number of farmers.

Amrita sells the following certified organic Fair Trade essential oils:

• Black Pepper
• Cinnamon Bark
• Cinnamon Leaf
• Clove Bud
• Holy Basil
• Lime (Distilled)
• Palmarosa
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Spearmint.

The vision of one of Amrita’s major essential oil producers is to have everything produced according to organic standards, and for the whole process to be fair and transparent.

Initially, some farmers were afraid that if they switched from conventional to organic agriculture, that their yields, and thus income, would drop. But, this is not the case if the farmers are taught the latest research-backed methods for growing their crops organically. Fortunately, Amrita’s producers were able to help educate the farmers in these new technologies and to provide a strong network. They were also able to assist them with seed procurement, harvesting and storage and all of many the steps along the way.

Many of the farmers own less than 4 acres of land, and by switching to organic production, they were able to substantially reduce their expenses, as they no longer had to buy expensive fertilizers and pesticides. The farmers are from a wide range of different environments, from heavy rainfall areas to low rainfall areas. They grow spice, medicinal and aromatic crops. They are also trained in how to harvest their crop correctly to ensure the best quality is attained. In some cases, the producer also helps the farmers with post-harvest processing facilities such as washers, cutters, drying racks, distillers etc.

Amrita’s Fair Trade producer in India started in 1999 by setting up vermicomposting, where worms help break down organic matter into nutrients that can be used by the crops. The following year, 2000, they set up an organic farming technology laboratory. By 2001, this laboratory was developing different products, like organic fertilizers, and it was able to help the farmers manage the nutrients supplied to their crops and to manage pests and diseases using strains of beneficial microorganisms. By 2002, the first group of 20 farmers were certified organic, and by 2003, they were exporting their goods overseas. In 2004, they set up a new microbiology laboratory. In 2006, they started exporting to the USA. In 2010, they set up a better system for tracing goods back to the original producer. In 2011, they were granted a government Ayurvedic manufacturing license.

Within the group, there is a strict policy against any kind of discrimination against gender, caste, creed or color amongst farmers, workers or at any point in the supply chain.

The group has also been involved in tree planting and forest restoration programs. Where wild herbs are collected, sustainability measures have been put in place, and some wild herbs have also started to be cultivated. They have also set up rainwater harvesting facilities to ensure adequate water during dry spells, rather than being dependent on ground water wells.

Recently, I met with a US soils expert called Dr. Elaine Ingham. She works in a similar way with farmers to help them transform their soils using composts, compost teas and extracts and cover plants. This gives them the most conducive balance of micro-organisms for the growth of that particular plant, so that artificial fertilizers and pesticides are no longer necessary. The micro-organisms help transform the soil chemicals into a form that can be absorbed by the plant.

When plants are grown in healthy soil, they produce deep roots and better quality fruits. There are also fewer weeds. Beneficial micro-organisms and beneficial insects help protect the plant from diseases and pests. No doubt, as Amrita’s producer has found, plants grown in this type of soil also produce better quality essential oils. Maybe someday all essential oils will not only be certified USDA organic, but also certified as having been grown with healthy soils.

Disclaimer: The statements made in this blog have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If a condition persists, please contact your physician or healthcare provider. The information provided is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare provider, and should not be construed as medical advice.

Original Published: 2016-07-01 / Last Modified: 2021-10-11