Poor farmers turn to cocaine

28 September 2000



Poor farmers turn to cocaine

THIRD-WORLD farmers are having to turn to crops like cocaine and cannabis to make a living, claims the director of the Fairtrade Foundation.

Debts incurred after other crop prices crashed brought this about, says Phil Wells, of the group which seeks to ensure farmers in developing countries benefit from fairer trade.

He calls for a move away from “faceless commoditisation” of products to a system which recognises sustainability and environmental conditions.

• The Independent 28/09/2000 Review page 4