Nioka

Her passion
"Bananas are my livelihood" says Nioka, "They are what help me meet the needs of my family". Forty-three year old Nioka is one of 605 small farmers (many of whom are women) now registered with The Windward Islands Farmers Association. Nioka has been growing bananas on a two-acre plot (leased from the government) in the north of St Vincent for thirteen years. For the last two years, Nioka has been selling to the Fairtrade market producing Fairtrade bananas and is now the chair person of the local Fairtrade group in the small community of Langley Park.

Banana growing is physically demanding and often tedious work. But for women like Nioka - a single parent with four sons between nine and 26 years of age - it represents her only real means of earning a decent living and maintaining her sense of independence and self reliance. Nioka’s three eldest sons work with Nioka on the farm while the youngest is still at school. If Nioka could not keep her business going she would have no hope for the future.

Her daily life
A typical day for Nioka starts at dawn when she gets up to prepare breakfast for herself and her children. Nioka’s work on the farm generally begins at 6a.m. and at around 11a.m. she breaks off to cook lunch for her family. After lunch, Nioka works through until 5p.m. when it is time for supper. Growing bananas is exhausting work and Nioka and her sons have to plant, tend and (on Mondays and Tuesdays) pick the crop. Once the bananas are harvested the family must grade, wash and pack them - ready for export to the UK.

A better deal
Nioka is clear about the benefits of Fairtrade. Before she became involved in Fairtrade through WINFA Nioka found life very hard. As Nioka herself says, membership of a Fairtrade scheme allows her to "get a better price and save more money". In this way she is able to help with the education of her youngest son. Another advantage of Fairtrade for Nioka is that the additional income it provides allows her and her children to enjoy some sort of social life. Nioka loves to cook and enjoys experimenting in the kitchen while all her sons are passionate about football and play as often as they can.