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11
Carrefour Foundation – 2014 annual report –
HELPING
DEVELOPMENT
Economic problems, massive
rural exodus, complicated
access to education and
healthcare… rural areas
often experience high
levels of unemployment,
with communities often left
vulnerable and isolated.
Developing family farms,
encouraging professional
training, helping to improve
producers’ understanding
and mastery of market
constraints – these are all
effective tools to kick-start
a virtuous economic cycle
that benefits as many people
as possible and assists
the development of
sustainable small farms.
As a result, the links
between producers and
consumers are reinforced.
“Aworking
farmacts
as a driving
force for
developing
the local
economy.”
“Fengdu is a mountainous province
in central China, often affected by
drought and mudslides. Its terrain is
not well suited to mechanised farming
or raising livestock. Furthermore,
disease and unsustainable farming
techniques are largely responsible
for extensive soil erosion. As a result,
productivity is very low in this region,
where around 95,000 people live
below the poverty line. About 70%
to 80% of farmers have no idea
how to keep accounts, which further
undermines the health and
sustainability of their farms.
Finally, massive migration out of
rural areas is another factor behind
the impoverishment of the
countryside. Since 2011, Humana
People to People has been running
a development project to combat
poverty by supporting professional
training for rural communities.
We help farmers to improve their
production and to adapt as best as
they can to current market conditions,
so that they can increase their
income, in order to lead better and
more stable lives. This programme
sets up cooperatives and larger
family farms, and also provides
better access to information
and new technologies.”
70%
OF FARMERS HAVE SEEN
THEIR INCOME INCREASE
BY 20% SINCE 2011, SUPPORTED
BY HUMANA PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
HUMANAPEOPLE
TOPEOPLE
The Carrefour
Foundation helps
farming cooperatives
become more
professional. In three
years, 3,129 people
have already been
trained (in sustainable
farming, conservation,
quality, reduction
of pesticide use
and waste) in
25 cooperatives.
In 2014, three wells
were dug to improve
irrigation in the
mountains for over
150 families. Four
refuse collection
sites have also been
set aside for more
efficient waste
management.
“Wehelp farmers
to leadbetter
andmore stable
lives, by increasing
their income.”
Interview with
Michael Hermann
China Country
Representative –
Humana People to People
CHINA