Drought in Northern Malawi and the importance of True Origin Rice Sales

Mary Popple • June 13, 2023

The Karonga area of Northern Malawi has experienced a severe drought over the current growing season and the government are supplying maize to feed the population through an emergency scheme. For the rice farmers the drought has meant that yields are down and farmers are suffering. To the rice farmers of Karonga, rice is a cash crop - their livelihood - rather than a subsistence crop such as maize and cassava which they grow to eat. They tell us that it is very important that we continue to support them by buying their rice and thereby providing money for them to buy necessities such as secondary education, farming equipment, medicines etc. It is also important that foreign currency such as that generated through the export of rice continues to flow into Malawi to enable the country to function.

So, buying rice is important, but there is more that we are doing. Sometime ago we raised money through the Balmore Trust to buy pumps to assist irrigation of the paddy in dry years. This year these pumps have proved invaluable to the farmers who can access them. We have now been asked by KASFA if we could supply the funds to purchase another 20 petrol driven irrigation pumps which will be used by a further 200 farmers. These pumps will be used, if needed, from November onwards to help next year's rice crop, but in the meantime as soon as they are installed, they will assist farmers in growing crops that they will harvest and eat within their community.

It is crucial that we are proactive in helping the farmers combat climate change to help secure their future. Acting on the farmers requests for us to purchase rice and to support them through this time of huge hardship illustrates the importance of the partnership between the Kilombero rice farmers, JTS and the Balmore Trust.

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How to Run a True Origin Fair Trade Stall at Your Church

By Nicola Taylor • July 3, 2026

A Fair Trade stall is about so much more than selling tea, coffee and chocolate. Every purchase supports smallholder farmers and producers who are working incredibly hard to build sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate change, rising fuel costs and an unpredictable global market. For many of the communities we work with, having reliable customers is essential. By running a True Origin stall at your church, you become part of that support network, helping to create regular demand for products that often aren't available in supermarkets or high street shops. Whether your church is passionate about global justice, caring for creation or simply making a practical difference, a Fair Trade stall is a simple but powerful way to turn those values into action. Start Small You don't need a huge team or a large budget to get started. Begin by talking with your church leaders about the idea. Many churches are happy to provide a small loan or donation to purchase initial stock, particularly if it can be repaid gradually as sales grow. Remember that most of the income from a stall is best reinvested into buying more stock rather than raising money for church funds. This helps keep the stall sustainable and ensures producers continue to receive orders. If you're new to running a stall, don't worry, you won't be on your own. The True Origin team and experienced Fair Traders are always happy to share advice and practical tips.