Using the examples of organically grown coffee in Mexico and fair trade bananas St-Vincent, this paper argues that a new global 'Green Revolution' is underway

Résumé du document

'Globalization is the increasing interdependence, integration and interaction among people and corporations in disparate locations around the world' . This phenomenon can have good effects such as helping developing countries improve their economy or their industry but also their agriculture by bringing them new ways of production. But it can also strangle the growth and development of a developing economy. The independence of an economy is also threatened by globalization. This is the reason why the recourse to Fair Trade is a solution to ensure the bad sides of globalization. "Fair trade is the new rule to avoid inequitable aspects of global markets" . Indeed, this trend to fair trade and organically production appears as a new way to face globalization and help the developing countries to reach development. In this essay I would like to focus on the new methods used in the agricultural production and their concrete effects on the local population.

Extraits

[...] The development of fair trade in the Banana industry in St-Vincent has three main impacts. First, there exists an environmental impact of the expansion of fair trade bananas. Generally, “Developing countries have lower standards for pollution-intensive industries”J.Bhagwati, R.Hudec.1997. Fair Trade and Harmonization, prerequisites for free trade? Massachussets: institute of technology This is the reason why the regulation of the methods in Fair Trade is very strict. Therefore, the use of chemicals is limited: fair-trade farmers need the authorization of the trade managers to use any chemical. [...]

[...] The recourse to fair trade and organically agriculture appears as a new "Green Revolution" because it changes the agricultural methods but also the economic international trade's face. Thus, the following question can be raised: Fair trade a pre-requise for free trade?”J.Bhagwati, R.Hudec.1997. Fair Trade and Harmonization, prerequisites for free trade? Massachussets: institute of technology As coffee is the World's most valuable agricultural commodities, it is also the most traded product (beside oil). Unfortunately, coffee is also one of the products that use the more chemicals. [...]

[...] [electronic resource] Cambridge, MA: CABI Pub. Dunkley, Graham The Free Trade adventure, the WTO, the Uruguay round and Globalism: a critique. Melbourne University Press, Australia. http://www.supportcaribbeanbananas.org.uk/, (accessed March, 30th 2007) http://www.fairtrade.org.uk. (accessed March, 30th 2007) http://www.sdearthtimes.com. [...]

[...] Melbourne University Press, Australia Indeed, this trend to fair trade and organically production appears as a new way to face globalization and help the developing countries to reach development. In this essay I would like to focus on the new methods used in the agricultural production and their concrete effects on the local population. My thesis is to demonstrate how the development of organically grown coffee in Mexico (Chiapas) and Fair Trade Bananas in St-Vincent are the illustration of the global Green Revolution”. These alternatives to globalization have a real impact on the producers in the developing countries. Indeed, it creates new opportunities and hopes. [...]

[...] In order to conclude this essay, I would say that globalization is a phenomenon that affects each area of the economy. The consequences of this trend are a considerable modification in everyday life of both producers and consumers wherever they are on earth. The organically grown coffee in Mexico, or Fair Trade bananas in St-Vincent are good illustrations of alternatives to globalization. They have a concrete impact on local populations in Mexico and St-Vincent and also improve the international condition. [...]