Solidarity
All Nature & More products are marketed as healthy, organic and fair. Where healthy speaks for itself and organic farming is subject to clear rules, the fair aspect is perhaps a bit vague. High time to see what our Nature & More partners are doing and why.
School built thanks to Bio Exotica funds
The peninsula in lake Volta, where Bio-Exotica is established, was totally cut off from the rest of the country after the Akasombo Dam was built in Lake Volta 40 years ago. This resulted in a total disconnection of any economic activity with the rest of the country. The local population lived from cassava production, and often (inter)national organizations came to investigate the possibilities for starting a development project in this area. A lot was promised but nothing was realized until the founders of Bio-Exotica came to the area.
Bio-Exotica was the first company who took the risk to start a completely new company in organic pineapple production, with the help of Dutch investments. The Lake Farm pineapple plantation was set up at the highest spot on the peninsula with a beautiful view on Lake Volta.
Today the company employs around 100 workers and staff and consequently is by far the largest employer in the Asegya area. With the establishment of the company it was possible to upgrade the working and educational facilities for the local population. Extensive training programs for the workers and earmarking education as main priority has resulted in a hard working satisfied labour force and the opening of the only modern primary school for the neighbouring village in 2006. The developments around Bio-Exotica have triggered the national authorities into action and electricity is now being extended the households in the area as well as the main roads getting tarred.
The next step is gain Fair Trade and the certification process is expected to be completed in April 2009. We will keep you informed!
