Producers
Universal Village Teas
Universal Village brand tea is sourced from the Small Organic Farmers Association (SOFA) via Bio Foods in Sri Lanka.
SOFA is a dedicated organic farmer group located in central Sri Lanka producing spice and tea under Fair Trade principles.
The group was founded in 1997 with 183 farmers by Dr Sarath Ranaweera, and has since grown to 1600 farmers.
The objectives of SOFA are to:
- Enhance the socio-economic standards of the members.
- Help to improve the educational facilities available to family members of producers.
- Provide support to producers to develop their land using organic agricultural methods.
- Conduct programs to protect the environment.
Why SOFA need assistance or Fair Trade benefits?
The majority of producers are poor farmers with average land holdings of less than 1 hectare. These farmers need a fair and consistent return on their land and labour to work their way out of poverty. The Fair Trade premium is paid directly to their Association. Further funds are paid over and above this to conduct awareness programs on agriculture and health.
Development Programs
Each year, SOFA receives more than 5 million Rupees as Fair Trade premium to develop the living standards of their producer members. This is spent on various development programs prepared by the Board of Management and approved by producers at the AGM. Development programs are mainly targeted at agricultural development, improving land productivity, socio economic activities and common activities in the area.
Examples include:- Agricultural Development - All tea producers receive a number of tea plants and other economically important plants free of charge, annually. Selected poorest farmers receive farm animals and agricultural equipment.
- Not only the SOFA members but also the near by villagers benefit from the social activities like drinking water supply projects, community centres, children's education support programs etc.
Impact of the project on Small Farmers
- Guaranteed price not below the minimum farm gate prices
- Technology development & transfer
- Social recognition
- Group cohesiveness including Sinhalese and Tamils
- Transparency resulting in building confidence of new farmers in the system
Impact on the local communities
- Better environment
- Sustainability
- Social well-being
- More investment