Latest news with #smallholders
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Coconut price surge a chance to aid Southeast Asia's small farmers
Southeast Asia is in the grip of a coconut fever. Indonesia saw coconut prices increase by 57 per cent year on year in May, and the same has been true in the Philippines since late 2024. Prices have more than doubled in both Thailand and Vietnam. This surge was driven by an increase in coconut exports, particularly to China. As a home to several of the world's coconut powerhouses , the price surge represents both opportunity and crisis for Southeast Asia. The region's aggressive export push has succeeded beyond expectations. Unfortunately, this export-driven price surge, while representing an opportunity, has helped create domestic shortages. At the same time, 98 per cent of all coconut production in the region is contributed by smallholders who face a dilemma of their own. Many lack the resources to capitalise on the price surge. Ageing trees require replacement, but new palms take years to reach full production. Without sufficient financing, better agricultural practices and protection from exploitative middlemen, even historically high prices will fail to lift many smallholders out of poverty. The disconnect between commodity prices and smallholders' welfare reveals a fundamental injustice plaguing the industry. Most of the industry is smallholders who manage less than two hectares. They earn little and, after spending on inputs, labour and transport, have even smaller profits. This systemic undervaluation stems from decades of neglect. Unlike staple crops such as rice or lucrative exports such as palm oil , the coconut has historically been treated as the unloved orphan of Southeast Asian agriculture. The contrast with palm oil is particularly stark. Indonesia's palm oil industry receives substantial government subsidies, tax breaks and investment. These advantages, coupled with palm oil's higher yields per hectare, have driven rapid expansion which directly threatens coconut cultivation.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- BBC News
Cornwall smallholders ordered to pay £11k over animal cruelty
A pair of smallholders who "failed to provide the most basic care" have been banned from keeping farm animals for five years and orderd to pay more than £11, Ford and Rebecca Austin, of Little Chacewood Farm and Farm Shop, Truro, pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates' Court to five charges of animal cruelty involving poultry and court heard how Cornwall Council's animal health and environmental health teams had previously visited the smallholding and provided advice and guidance, which was and Austin, both aged 35, were ordered to pay a total of £11,423 in fines and court costs. 'Ignored advice' Stephanie Martin, senior Trading Standards officer at Cornwall Council, said: "Mr Ford and Miss Austin had been offered considerable advice over a number of years."They completely ignored this advice and failed to provide the most basic care to their animals."The court was told at the hearing last Thursday how the pair failed to provide bedding and fresh water and kept the animals in hazardous conditions where there was scrap metal, old machinery and live electrical also heard how Ford and Austin failed to correctly store and dispose poultry slaughter waste and failed to control a rat infestation. 'Distressing example' Kevin Brader, head of Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said: "This case is a distressing example of smallholders attempting to farm without the appropriate knowledge."Where individuals do not provide adequate care for their animals, we will take enforcement action to safeguard industry standards."Ford was ordered to pay a fine of £778, a surcharge of £311, and to contribute £8,000 towards the council's was ordered to pay a fine of £180, a surcharge of £65 and was also ordered to contribute £2,089 towards costs.
