Farmers in developing countries are struggling despite recent rises in the price of commodities they produce, the Fairtrade Foundation says in a new report.

The report, which interviewed farmers’ groups in Uganda, Malawi, Nicaragua, India, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean, reveals that many families are spending up to 80% of their entire household budget on basic food items.

The rocketing cost of food, fuel and fertiliser prices have had a devastating effect on their livelihoods.

In some cases, families have been forced to cut out meals, take children out of school and reduce the amount of land they plant, the report says.
Some farmers have even sold their land because they can no longer afford to farm it or buy fertilisers to keep up production.

But the report says that fair trade schemes could help ease their plight, with demand for Fairtrade products remaining strong despite the economic downturn.
Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7905312.stm