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Global Interdependence (Case Studies)
Advanced Human Geography Options
Cambridge International AS and A Level Geography
For Syllabus 9696
Case Studies
➢ The Trade in Tea
➢ Fairtrade in Cacao
➢ WaterAid’s Involvement in Mali (Africa)
➢ Ecotourism in Ecuador
➢ Jamaica’s Tourist Industry (Main Case Study)
Case Study: The Trade in Tea
Tea is small proportion of price of product that goes to producers. Great majority of money
from tea industry goes to post-raw material stages (processing, distributing, retailing)
benefiting HIC companies than LICs. Dutch 2006 report from Tea institute payed attention to:
- problems of failing prices + rising input cost.
- Pressure to limit labour cost.
- Urgent need to improve LIC conditions in labour, social, ecological, economic.
Global tea Market dominated by small number companies (Unilever, Sara Lee). ½ of all tea
traded internationally. Annual exports tea as raw material = $3 billion. Companies now fight
with each other as competitive market. Global supply growing faster than consumption keeping
prices low.
Tea producers complain that global trading system prevents from moving value chain.
Extremely difficult compete with powerful brands.
Tea value chain:
1. Supermarket retailing = 50%
2. Marketing, bagging, distribution = 36%
3. Exporters’ costs = 6%
4. Other plantation costs = 4%
5. Labour cost (culti + pick) = 3%
6. Auction bulk tea = 1%
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Case Study: The Fairtrade in Cacao
1993 group Ghana farmers formed cooperative to sell own cocoa. SNV, Dutch NGO + UK
department International Development supported. Cooperative ensures farmers paid good +
not cheated by middlemen. It includes:
● Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Union (national body 45,000 cocoa farmers elect
representatives.
● Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Trust (responsible distribution Comm. project money from
Fairtrade Premium. Projects: clean water, mobile health clinics, schools, sanitation.)
2008 Kuapa Kokoo sold 4,250 tonnes cocoa Fairtrade market (farmers guaranteed price). If
cocoa price falls to $1,000 tonne, Fairtrade price still $1,600. If prices increase farmers will
receive better price.
1998 Kuapa Kokoo came together with NGO Twin, supported by Body Shop, Christian Aid,
Comic Relief, founded Divine Chocolate company. Kuapa Kokoo part owner of Divine (gets fair
price for cocoa + has influence on how organisation run + share in profits). Divine Fairtrade
Chocolate sold in UK, Holland, Scandinavia + US.
Fairtrade only solution if sustainable long term. Income + food security dependent on good soil
health + water supply. Africa driven by war, corruption, political instability. Fairtrade can reduce
poverty.
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Case Study: WaterAid in Mali
WaterAid established 1981. First project occured in
Zambia, spread to others. WaterAid currently in
Mali since 2001.
The country's capital = Bamako, population is 16
million and area = 1,240,192 km2
Mali is one of hottest + poorest places. Located
West Africa next to Algeria. Land stretches into
Sahara desert, most live in South but still nomads in
North. Malitians known for robes, music culture +
strong storytelling traditions. 65% country is desert,
11 million lack access to safe water.
Main concern is fully privatised water industry fails
provide to poorest in rural + urban areas. WaterAid
running scheme around Bamako providing clean
water + sanitation to poor. Objective to show that
slum projects successful economically + socially.
WaterAid financed construction of area's construction network. Also training locals to maintain
system + raise money needed to operate. Encouraging locals to invest in own infrastructure
important, idea is that take generation to fully implement.
WaterAid = UK's only charity dedicated to providing water, sanitation + hygiene education to
world's poorest areas.without these 3 countries remain in cycle of disease + poverty. They
maximise health benefits. These combined benefits reduce child diarrhea by 95%.
In long term, communities able plan + build infrastructure that helps cope during times
hardship. WaterAid areas live easier during droughts as:
- Previously during drought women spend hours finding water, little time for food,
children miss out on education.
