Malawian rice farmer visits Skipton for Fairtrade Fortnight

Howard Msukwa, who grows Kilombero rice, met campaigners and supporters in the town and visited a Skipton-based ethical wholesaler.

This was his second visit, following a three-day Yorkshire tour in 2018 organised by the Skipton Fairtrade group.

The aromatic Kilombero rice is grown by Mr Msukwa and 5,000 other Malawian smallholder farmers.

His day in Skipton began with a visit to Namaste Fair Trade, which imports fairly traded products made by skilled artisans in India, Nepal, and Thailand, using environmentally friendly, sustainable, and recycled materials where possible.

Accompanied by John Riches, a representative from True Origin, the Scottish Fairtrade food importer that buys and markets Kilombero rice, Mr Msukwa met Fairtrade campaigners and supporters from the town and neighbouring localities.

They discussed the impacts of climate change on rice growers and the benefits of Fairtrade to their communities.

Also discussed were the True Origin partnership's projects with farmers, including supporting women farmers to develop a business making fuel briquettes from waste rice husks.

Also being explored as part of the partnership are longer-term irrigation solutions to help farmers become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Until September 22, a display at Skipton Library provides more information about Fairtrade in a changing climate and the difference Fairtrade sales in the UK have made to the lives of people who grow products like coffee, tea, bananas, and cocoa.

The Reference Library will host a free event on Thursday, September 19, from 10.45am to 11.30am, at which Liz Roodhouse, chair of Skipton Fairtrade, will be speaking and bringing some of the new range of ‘Wish 4 Fairtrade’ biscuits made in Bradford.

Fairtrade drinks will be available for purchase.

Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual promotional campaign organised by the Fairtrade Foundation, taking place this year from Monday, September 9 to Sunday, September 22.