Fair Trade Reaches Semmanarai!
Amuthasurabhi Makkal Kuzhu or Amutha surabhi People’s Group is located at Semmanarai village in the remote Eastern slopes of the Nilgiris has remained incognito for long. Keystone has established its first village center for value addition in this village with Candle and Balm making. Now, it has five women and four men working full time and another 6 people whenever there is an order from IFFAD. The principle of Fair Trade is new to the team and their view of the establishment is primarily to supply to Keystone’s Green Shops.

The second top up order they have received from a foreign buyer has made the group believe in themselves and work enthusiastically. They are keen on getting more orders now and are willing to put the extra effort to manage the center. They have a better understanding of Fair Trade now that a portion of the profits from the first order was distributed to all of them on a pro-rata basis during Pongal an important harvest festival that takes place in January. Each of them have received on an average Rs.750.00 per person and have understood that it is not a bonus but a share of the profit that they have earned. This has made them take active interest in the proceeding of the center and has increased the efficiency of the group. Now they have become very quality conscious.
Fair Trade has given them an opportunity to work in their own villages. In the past, they used to go in search of wage earning to the nearby coffee and tea estates where they have worked as temporary labour. They are working at their own pace and are able to manage both their work at home and at the value addition center evenly.
They are very happy to know that their candles are sold abroad and are in demand. The process of pricing the candle and profit margins are transparently done and the regular members know the profit margins. They also want to decide when they are going to share the profits.
They are looking forward to some exposure and training to upgrade their skills and learn to do some more new products.

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