Program Definition:
The fair trade program consists of a series of interventions aimed at improving the quality of rural agricultural products and increasing opportunities for these products to access foreign and domestic markets. The program strives to realize equitable economic returns for producers, organizations, and individuals within the vision of a fair world in which justice prevails.
Program Justifications:
• The producers’ lack of knowledge of market requirements and modern marketing techniques.
• The low level of current infrastructure and technology utilization.
• Small production volume and provincial distribution.
• Integration into development processes with marketing agricultural products constituting a primary element.
• Providing fair prices for the producers
Program Range:
The program includes all rural production regions and includes the following rural agricultural products: olives and olive oil (extra virgin and organic), cous cous, almonds, fresh vegetables, dates, dried medicinal herbs, dried tomatoes, za’tar (thyme), honey, molasses, and dried fruits.
Program Philosophy:
To find the balance between the interests of producers, distribution channels, and the consumers, with a transparent chain of interventions from the planning stages of production to when the products reach the consumer. This whole process should consider the different costs.
General Objective:
To improve opportunities for local Palestinian rural products in accessing different markets at a high quality, to ensure the allocation of equitable economic returns for all of those within the chain, and to build communities based on justice and sustainability through fair trade.
Noteworthy Accomplishments:
1. The formation of 30 production cooperatives and organizations in order to increase efficiency and functionality.
2. Building communities’ capacities and developing an infrastructure for marketing and production, including the building of three filling and product packaging stations.
3. Developing human resources by training 15 personnel to manage technical aspects and administrate the marketing process.
4. Developing a system to ensure the integrity of product quality (ISO 22,000) and allow for product competition.
5. Marketing more than 1300 tons of goods in the last three years and providing marketing services for more than 2300 beneficiaries with a sales volume of 5.4 million dollars.
The Program’s Primary Interventions:
1. Guidance and awareness-raising around requirements of different actors and specifications in fair trade markets.
2. Training and consulting in the areas of production, post-harvest techniques, filling, calibration, packaging, and storage.
3. Developing product quality and providing screening and previewing services for samples in accordance with contractor market requirements.
4. Providing certification and licensing services for quality control and food safety.
5. Providing services for facilitating direct contracting between the different parties involved in production.
6. Providing logistical support services for producers, especially producer associations.
7. Providing services for investment and prepayment.
8. Providing promotion and exhibition services.
9. Carrying out market research and studies.
