FairTrade Drippack Project

―LAOS Study Tour 2015―

Aug.16,2015～Aug.24,2015

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Champasak Province Paksong

Contents

1. Overview of the Fairtrade Drippack Project

2. History of the Drippack Project

3. Impression of Study tour (2014 summer)

4. Activity Report 2014(Ap.1,2014～Mar.14,2015) Photos

5.Activity Report 2015(Ap.1.2015～Aug.16.2015) Photos

1. Overview of the Fairtrade Drippack Project

Fairtrade Drippack Project (popular name is Doripro) is the student organization which

aims to play as a bridge between Laos and Japan through the Laos’s coffee. We buy the

green beans from ATJ that is produced by JCFC and then we send green beans to

Ryutsu Service (roasting company in Shizuoka) and order roasting and packaging. We

sell our products at event and festival held around Tokyo and appeal the attraction of

Laos’s coffee to our customers. We also release the information about coffee farmer’s

story to public at our website.

2. History of the Drippack Project

Drippack Project was established in 2011.Mr.Minoo recruited the college

students those who had an interest in Fairtrade and also had an intention to

visit Laos and meet coffee producers.2015, this year will be the 5th year for us,

so we would like to introduce our history.

2011 1st year

Date Activity

5.1,2011 Drippack Project established

6.25,2011 Start developing Drippack

8.5.2011 1st Study tour

9.2.2011 Finish developing Drippack

10.1.2011 Sold 1000 Drippack

12.1.2011 1st year result report meeting

2012 2nd year

Date Activity

1.1,2012 2nd year start

1.14.2012 Start developing new products (coffee bean and powder)

5.10.2012 Start selling coffee bean and powder(city roast)

8.6.2012 2nd study tour

10.6.2012 1st Dripro cafe

11.17.2012 2nd year result report meeting

3rd year 2013

Date Activity

12.27.2012 3rd yaer start

1.15.2013 Start developing new product(coffee bean and powder)

2.28.2013 3rd study tour

4.1.2013 Start selling coffee bean and powder(Full city roast)

6.15.2013 2nd Dripro cafe

11.9.2013 Last meeting

11.23.2013 3rd year result report meeting

4th year 2014

Date Activity

4.1.2014 4th yrar start

5.17.2014 Laos festival(Tokyo)

8.17.2014 4th study tour

11.1.2014 Discussing about fair-trade

3.14.2015 4th year result report meeting

3. Impression of Study tour (2014 summer)

1. Ishidera Takahiro

I had an excellent time in Laos. Before visiting, I wasn’t very interested in Laos and fair

trade that our project has relation to. To tell the truth, out of a sense of obligation as a

leader, I decided to go to Laos. Then, why do I feel the trip was excellent? I would like to

write down the experience that led to change my thought.

Speaking rudely, but Laos is the most undeveloped country that I went. I understood

that my recognition for Laos was wrong by staying there. As is often the case in Japan,

people can live very comfortably. Therefore, Japanese come to think that to be convenient

is an absolute standard of happiness and people in "poor" countries may be unhappy. As

long as I know the situation of other “poor” countries, and think that there are many

beggars in streets and children work for their families. Like those countries, I thought

that would feel be oppressed in Laos, but I did not have such an impression at all.

Markets are thronged with people, everybody is cheerful, and Children are playing

innocently. There are so calm scenes. It was conversely shocking, and I was ashamed of

my ignorance and assumption.

Not all lifestyle in Laos is suited to smoothly for me. However, it also was of course I feel

the difference of values. The Remarkable point is that information and entertainment

are the priority than sanitation. Some families use shared toilets, and there are no baths

in villages, but audio sets and televisions in each house. Also, some wealthy families

have karaoke sets and village people gather and sing. Those become divorced from my

value, still I think such life is also good because life is the aggregate of things that people

need.

It is also a reason I enjoyed the trip that I liked Laotian food. The most impressive dish

is seen dat. You enjoy it with a cookpot that a center is bulged, and how to eat it is

interesting. How to eat it is that: grilling meat at its top part and boiling vegetables at

its bottom part. This style is stemmed from Korean barbecue and Japanese sukiyaki. I

do not explain it in detail here, but it is one interesting point of Laos that the culture of

various countries mixes.

By the way, as a result of the interview with farmers, I know one reason they cultivate

coffee. That is it can be sold higher price as other crops, and helps their life. They cannot

afford to buy artificial manure and a pesticide for the present conditions,

And it is usual to grow coffee in close form naturally in Laos. Fortunately or not, it is a

so valuable fact, but a question was left in this whether they understand it. Also, it is

problem that the price of typica is low unexpectedly. Typica takes time off the cultivation

than catimor or kinds of robsta that is the mainstream of coffee in Laos. Even in this

regard is not considered sufficiently, because it is estimated to a factor that does not

increase the purchase price that the quality of typica is not reached high levels stable, I

think there is room for improvement.

At the mention of fair trade, most farmers think trading with JCFC is helpful to secure

their living, however, dealing with a middleman is also the advantage of them. They have

a trust relationship, so it is committed that a certain amount of their products is

purchased and can have cash income when they trade. According to typical books about

fair trade, you tend to understand that a broker exploits farmers without knowledge of

marketing, but I interviewed them and knew that it is not necessarily true. Commerce

it is needed, I think, to reconcile fair trade and commerce with a middleman.

That is what I saw in Laos. Writing this report, I reconfirmed the importance of going

and seeing what happens. I would like to aim at telling the real point of Laos and Laotian

coffee with my experience. In the future, I hope that people naturally trade products at

the fair price without the system of fair trade, and I strive to be a capable person who

can realize such society.

2. Jun Watanabe

Reconstruction and Reinforcement of Experience after Second Visit

The second visit and research in Laos offered an opportunity to deepen knowledge that

acquired last time. Through selling of Lao fair trade (FT) coffee in Japan, there was a

sort of expectation of real pride of farmers that they were producing FT coffee in last

visit. However, after going through several research in some villages, it turned out that

coffee farming is not necessary all about of their lives, but just a part of their lives.

Considering the experience of last time, concentration to figure out the overall lifestyle

of coffee farmers was a purpose of this visit. It finally made it possible to get information,

which cannot be found without communication locals. Thus, this visit tried to examine

problems of the whole life in the region and perception of FT by producers.

Not only problems of FT and coffee producing, but also that of life in there

In conclusion, after second, visit further understanding of the environment surrounding

producers was established. Still, there remains several problems for lives of farmers,

coffee farming expected. It is also important to focus on these issues as well. Also, the

difference of way to recognize FT was revealed through researchers in three villages.

Same as like first visit, more findings can be gained by way of watching the situation

with one’s own eyes and talking people face to face rather than books. Now, a

commitment to deliver these findings to consumers is necessary.

3. Risa Sakagami

“What is Fairtrade?”

“What is Fairtrade?” Since I have joined “Dripro”, the question is getting bigger.

“Fair trade is to sell products at the appropriate price, not unreasonable price.” “It

improves dangerous labor circumstance.” I thought that Fairtrade was the excellent

system. But I noticed that I didn’t know actual conditions of Fairtrade. “Is our action

suitable for the coffee producer?” I asked myself. So, I wanted to see the lives of coffee

farmers and decided to go to Lao.

After I had visited three villages producing coffee beans, I noticed that my image was

different from fact. Firstly, it is about recognition of Fairtrade. I thought farmers have

the appreciation for Fairtrade. While we were talking with farmers, they didn’t say the

word “Fair trade." They mentioned about not the system, but features of Fairtrade. For

example, they said, “I’m pleased that I can sell coffee beans at the higher price.” “I

appreciate that the organization (JCFC) pays money before harvest.” But sometimes

some farmers didn’t obey rules. Though some farmers got advance payment, they

couldn’t give enough beans. It seemed that they didn’t realize and promise the system

and rules of Fairtrade. JCFC, which is an organization putting coffee farmers together,

pointed out that farmers’ recognition of Fairtrade was little. To continue Fairtrade

system, this problem must be solved quickly.

Secondly, it is about the thought for coffee cultivation. I thought that coffee farmers are

experts, but it’s not true. They didn’t have specialty knowledge. I asked some farmers.

“Why did you start coffee cropping?” Most farmers answered that we can sell coffee beans

at the high price. For people in this area, coffee cultivation is one of the methods of living.

Almost all farmers didn’t use chemical fertilizer and pesticide. It’s good for the

environment, but weeding and fertilizer are not enough. When I saw farms, there are

some weeds. Farmers that are maintained are not so many. At the first time I saw them,

I thought that farmers were lazy, but it’s not such an easy problem. The lack of money

for labor or facilities, problems have happened.

4. Issei Sano

My impression about study tour

To tell the truth, before we went to Laos, I doubted whether the fair trade becomes help

for producers. It is because I had heard that there is a person who dresses beneficence

and exploits it, though the fair trade is good hearing. If the producers confess that the

benefit of the fair trade would not be received actually by them, we thought it became

impossible to continue the activity of Dripro. However, in the village of Laos we were

aware that JCFC paid to the producer by the prepayment and that help them. Still there

are worries about money with producers and a lot of problems remain. But, that only I

could understand that the fair trade helps the producer in Laos became a big harvest for

me who had been dubious for the fair trade. Although this would only be a side of the

fair trade, I was convinced that I can work with confidence as a member of a student

group that promotes the fair trade.

However, I also had regretted in the study tour. It was my limited knowledge. First of

all, knowledge about the fair trade was insufficient overwhelmingly. I was not able to

understand the story of staffs of JCFC because I did not understand the mechanism of

the fair trade. Also, I didn’t have enough knowledge about the name of the coffee bean,

the kind of the coffee bean. Moreover, I should study a lot of things like a Southeast Asian

history, economics, English, and anthropology, etc. Perhaps I will be able to participate

in the study tour again in the coming year, so I want to increase the amount of knowledge

firmly so as not to repeat this failure till then.

In the study tour, I also considered about nationality. The people in Laos were always

smiling, and they took care me a lot. Moreover, they had free character, and I felt that

they spent life with relaxing. Therefore, however, they did what is unbelievable for

Japanese, such as having a drinking spree in others' houses till a late hour, etc. I

reconfirmed humbleness. It was felt that it was correct though it had been heard that

you should leave your country for knowing my country.

What I felt was all the people who were related including JCFC and the producer gently

touched me. Even if we asked them for a long time, or we took them to a lot of places,

they were smiling. It is thought it is very joyous to be able to introduce the product that

such people are involved, and I think that it is a boast.

Finally, I was indebted to a lot of people in study tours. It was a study tour of the first

time for me, too and it troubled people around us. We want to express our gratitude for

the Minoo teacher and Ms. Hiroe and every one of the member of Dripro including.

Thank you.

5. Syouhei Takada

What is the fair trade of fair?

Fair trade is not only deal proper price for some items, and also it is some supports to

improve in primary producer life. It was my conclusion that I thought what Fair trade

was meaning to went to Laos. And it was the biggest aim in this study tour. If I didn’t go

Laos, I never find to my answer for meaning of fair trade. I could get many experiences

in Laos so that I might find to my opinion.

Why am I described above thought of the fair trade? Because I had known that JCFC do

some activities to support the producer. Naturally, JCFC is buying the coffee beans

proper price, also, to giving farming tool, technical support, and payment in advance of

harvest amount. JCFC do payment in advance that the producer can easy buy fertilizer,

which can’t buy until now. I think if many farmers can buy fertilizer, they can increase

their harvest. It is something that feels the purpose that other support step JCFC assure

the improvement of the yield and the improvement of the quality of the products, the

intention that the impression these support measures which JCFC does. The fair trade,

which I thought until before go to Laos, it is just deal proper price to improve in producer

life. But went to Laos as for feeling, it can’t grow in primary producer life that simply

deal appropriate price. I thought that Fare trade is some supports to improve in primary

producer life. But the present situation in Laos, it is 10 percent farmers to understand

exactly JCFC doing activities. Also to almost producer can’t efficient production. I think

that there is a first primary factor of the reason, which Laos coffee farmers can’t improve

in their life, that almost coffee farmers are satisfied extent the present situation life and

it isn’t hope more efficiency production. Also, almost coffee farmers can’t understand

correctly, how to do more energy production for the coffee farm. Almost Laos farmers are

desired more income, but it isn’t carry out to get more revenue action. JCFC has various

supports to improve in producer life, but a few producers who have understood that

meaning of JCFC actions. I think the producer and JCFC has a gap of thought, because

manufacturers life improve difficulty, in spite of JCFC does various supports. I know

JCFC already done effort that many producers

Known JCFC various supports. But JCFC keep doing more effort to known more

producers. If many farmers can understand for JCFC activities, it can improve their life.

It is important to producer and buyer relation very close and there cooperate for fair

trade.

I think JCFC and farmers already made confidence relationship. Because Mr.son pu who

is the member of JCFC, he has seven standers for fair trade. The seven standees are the

quality of decision, the amount of resolution, and price of choice, obey exportation

deadline, follow standard quality, and pay a bonus and consultation on the decision.

Discussion on the decision is not efficient, but it is fair each other. If JCFC keep the

discussion on the deal, farmers can understand JCFC activities, and desire improvement

their life. I think it is the most important thing to want improvement their life for

farmers. So they should understand son pu thought and JCFC activities of meaning. I

think Laos coffee farmers can change their thought for the desire to improve own life at

near future. Because Laos has sound system improve coffee farmer’s life.

If we want to succeed in fair trade, we have to consult dealing opponent. And we have to

make a trust relation each people. Besides we have to try neutral position when you ask

for something.

At last I could realize many things, to go to Laos. If I didn’t Laos, I never understand

important things. We can learn many things to close to Laos’s people life. Perhaps fair

trade too. It means we want to succeed fair trade, so we have to make close relation each

other. I think when you try to understand the opponent, it is the first step for fair trade.

6. Mina Sugawara

What’s the coffee farmer’s interest?

Before I went to Laos, I made no doubt of that intentional production creates fluent

society. Since Broben Hill is suitable soil to coffee cultivation, coffee beans can harvest

infinity. But this opinion was my illusion.

My activity’s purpose to make Laos’s coffee farmers rich. And it’s this activity’s mission

too. So I was enthusiastic about discovering non-efficiency at Laos.

Life of Laos has lots of non-efficiency on the sides with developed country’s thinking. The

first day, I felt the culture shock. I was thinking about the measure of wealth is just

money. All phenomena are managed to data. And human operates homogeneous data,

just then this group move anther stage. I feel the egoism of developed country in my

mind.

The human need to know how to themselves living. Human isn’t a prisoner in the real. I

might not advice how to work with the Laos's people. Nevertheless, I worry about them.

In Japan, I had heard that country’s nature should keep forever. But it’s the other

people’s affairs, right?

People of Laos aren’t satisfied with nowadays income. Parents want to go their children

to school, drink alcohol and the new bike. They aren’t difference us.

Now, I understood Wealth isn’t just money, what I do anything? I thought out. The

activity of this term is only six months. From now on, I want to speak to unconcern people

about Laos’s coffee farmer. I’m thinking about the good side and the problem point, both.

I considerate the most important activity is to tell lots of people who don’t’ know the fair

trade. Originally, Fair trade isn’t cool. This image created by developed country marketer.

7. Saika Tanabe

Study tour in Laos

Laos is the first foreign country for me. It has red fields, blue sky, many

animals that eat greens and lively people. We could have so precious experiences

there, and the lifestyle in Laos was very different from that of in Japan. What was

most interesting is that all houses we visited didn't have wall clocks. They are living

with sun rhythm, so they get up when chickens crow and go to bed when the sunset

on the horizon. It's very natural and comfortable for human beings, and I gradually

stopped checking my cellphone though I often did in Japan.

In harvest season, all family go to their coffee farms and pick berries as much as

they can. The work is so hard that even older people help them. On the other hand,

they don't work that hard and just sing and dance in rain season. They like singing

songs and dancing. I was surprised that they have the custom of karaoke there.

When we stayed with one family, they welcomed us and drank much and continued

to sing even though the landlord had already gone to bed. They told us it was normal

in the rural area. When men sang Lao traditional songs, we tried to dance with them,

and mothers taught us. Little by little, we remembered the moves, so we felt as if we

were Lao people. At last, we were one with their music, dance and themselves.

One of the biggest problems is bad health status. All houses we visited didn't

have water closets even though they already have TV and karaoke sets. The

government has told them to install clean toilet and bathroom, but local people didn't

care about them. I wondered why they didn't locate those vital things instead of

amusement products. There must be many diseases they can prevent and even avoid

dying. It's one of the most serious social problems in Laos. Then, I finally noticed

that they don't have the idea of better health status because most adults didn't go to

school, so they don’t know the importance of improving health status. They, Laos,

are surely poor.

8. Yuki Kishimoto

About my trip.

For the first time, the coffee farm I looked is anywhere in the south of Laos. The

cause to which I participated in this "fair trade drip pack project" begins from my

part-time job I was usually treating many cups of coffee. I worried about coffee the

person of which is engaged in what kind of environment by what kind of person. This

also becomes a reason for participating in this study tour. My purpose is becoming

friendly with many persons of Laos. I think I could consider a "fair trade", "coffee",

and "Laos" because I go to a producing district. I would like to take out dignity to

selling coffee. Although there was no knowledge of Laos, I thought that it could think

without prejudice.

It seems that the time passed slowly while staying in Laos. The scene that is in sight

out of a car during movement had many endless coffee farms and people that are

sitting down outside leisurely. They seem to be fortunate without knowing why. All

people of Laos were warm, were sociable, and welcomed us. Interpreter's people and

a driver cannot be appreciated.

However, I was surprised at the gap in the environment. For example, garbage is

dumped outside, a toilet is dirty and the insect is flying on the foods sold at the

market. This situation is typical for the people of Laos. What can I do for them?

Then, I would like to consider that a trip finishes and I can do it in Japan after this.

Firstly, I tell a Japanese person having experienced in Laos.

Secondly, about studying. I interested in Traditional culture in the world. Since I

would like to have come to learn a religious thing etc. More deeply along with culture

or it, I would like to study individually.

Thirdly, I considered the fair trade in myself. First of all, I was not known well what

a "fair trade" was. I had an only recognition that "fair trade" was good for a producer's

person, before the start of a trip. Unfortunately, I have taken a trip, without studying

anything.

The result of the family income and expenditure survey in Laos,

Although many farmhouses think the increase in efficiency is difficult for the

financial reason, it turned out that they were doing them best. A "fair trade" was one

of the choices that sell coffee for the producer.

That is to say, I think it is "fair trade" to define a fair price so that the present

condition of the area and a producer's needs can be met. We must recognize a "fair

trade" to be one measure made for a manufacturer. It is indispensable for consumers

and a farmer to know a mutual thing, and not only the framework a "fair trade" but

to

Consider an ordinary meaning in the coffee. Therefore, we have to give consumers a

producer's information and have to tell a producer consumers' thing from now on.

This study tour is only the first step for us. From now on, it is important for me how

to spend in the future. We have to act, before these recollections weather.

9. Kazuki Yoshikawa

It was the first time for me to visit Laos. There are problems I saw in Laos. First

about sanitation in Laos, I considered Lao marketplace unclean. There are flies on

meat, bread, foods and so on. I thought that was just gross. Lao people didn’t mind

it. I had heard that in Asia. But I was surprised that I saw and ate the food. Flies

can carry disease-causing bacteria to food. I am afraid that they say that a couple

flies won’t hurt anyone. I suggest that they resolve this problem. Second about a

bathroom, in the farming village I went to, they use the outdoor communal toilet. I

thought it was unsanitary. We Japanese feel inconvenience for using the bathroom.

Neither Lao people do. It is said that Ignorance is blessed. But I suggest that they

solve the problem of what has to be done for using the toilet more sanitary and

comfortable. Why do they resolve the problem? I thought that they were in ignorance

of the most convenient facilities of the bathroom. Of course, they should decide to do

or not when someone tell them the skills to solve that problem.

We visited southern Laos. Instead, I suggest that they should go to Japan, so as to

get to know an unknown aspect. I talk about a Lao man. He visited Japan. He went

astonished that there was the great difference of technology between Japan and Laos.

Among them, he tried to select getting something from Japan. Then he obtained the

knowledge of fertilizer. He is great. Provided that I confront the same condition, I

couldn’t do that. I respect him. They should hope sincerely to change your life.

Otherwise, that won’t change anything truly.

I went to several coffee plantations. Robusta and Catimor coffee seemed strong. By

contrast, Typica coffee seemed so weak. At first, I couldn’t recognize the same species

named Arabica: Typica and Catimor. Coffee farmers told me the differences between

Typica and Catimor. Those differences were the color of leaves and the length of joint

the number of coffee berries borne in the common. So I could distinguish Typica from

Catimor. I was touched that I saw coffee plantations. It was gorgeous. A coffee farmer

gave me a coffee berry and said try to eat it. It was very sweet like a cherry. I ate

another one in another plantation. Then, the taste was entirely different. It tasted

of sour. For what reasoned? I expected that there was a difference of taste by chance,

or this resulted from the soil. There were

Broadly two types of coffee farms in my heart. The one was that coffee farms were

well cared, and the shade trees worked. On the contrary, the other was not that. I

stayed with coffee farmers. I was impressed to kill a chicken in homestay. I had never

killed animals to eat by myself. But this occurred commonly in southern Laos. When

my friend cut the main artery of a chicken I hold, I felt the strength of the chicken

surviving. I was glad to have a valuable experience and to make friends with Lao

people.

For me, this study tour was an unforgettable experience. I love Lao people more after

I went to Laos. I enjoyed this travel. I will go to Laos to meet them again. I thank all

people who involved in this tour. My special thanks are due to Professor Arihiro for

guiding this tour.

10. Risa Iwai

See and realize in Laos

It is a first time for me to visit Laos. Before I departed from Japan, I was excited and a

little nervous. Selling our goods, I always say this coffee is Fairtrade coffee made in Laos.

Gradually I started doubting that Fairtrade helps farmers living indeed. This is the

reason to visit Laos. Nine days is too short, but I learn a lot. I found a good and bad point

of coffee farming, and I realized education is critical.

First, coffee farming is better than rice. Coffee farmers said the wholesale price of coffee

was twice higher than rice. Moreover, they told us that prepayment which is JCFC’s

system helps their living. On the other hand, it takes three years to grow coffee seeding.

In brief, farmers cannot get money this period. Coffee farming also takes a lot of funding.

That is to say, another farming and farming needs capital investments. Some farmers

said they would like to buy some machines such as weed cutter, pulling machine

something like that, but they do not have enough money to buy them. I realized it was

so hard to cut grass when I did actually.

Secondly, education is significant. Until I visited Laos, I never think that. In Japan, we

must go to elementary school, and junior high school and most people go to the most

senior school such as high school, college and so on. It is right for us to take education.

In Laos, however, the government says you go to elementary school recently, but many

people do not go the higher school. The reason is various. If you would like to do

something new, you will search the way what you want. However, if you do not know the

way searching, you may not do anything. At the point of hygiene, I might also say the

same things. We usually take a shower and use a flush toilet, but people in Laos do not

use these. I was surprised by a few years ago some home did not have a bathroom.

Moreover, I realized the lack of infrastructure. At first, I was surprised. When it was

rainy day, the road’s condition is worse than usual. I was shocked very much in the car.

When we interviewed, they

Did not look anything such as paper and note. They answered depending on their

memory, and they did not record anything. Then it is difficult to listen to the correct

number or amounts. JCFC’s leaders said understanding depends on each farmer.

Therefore, quality of coffee beans is also different. This is serious problems.

Finally, I can look at not only coffee farming but also living in Laos. I have to convey this

to Japanese customers. After this tour, I search how to convey. This is my problem. I

appreciate everyone who relates to me. Thank you for giving me this chance.

4. Activity Report 2014(Ap.1,2014～Mar.14,2015) Photos

During the Dripro 4th, we sold almost 100kg (Products not Green bean) of

Laos coffee. Compared with Dripro 3rd, we increased our sales almost 30kg

① Sales events

② Study tour

③ Regular meeting

④ 4th year result report meeting

5. Activity Report 2015(Ap.1.2015～Aug.16.2015) Photos

① Sales events

② Regular meeting