History of the Small Organic Farmers’ Association
Initial stage
Prior to forming societies in the SOFA, the leadership system was existing in the villages. In 1996, with the help of a few farmer leaders who were selling conventional tea leaves, Bio Foods had started to form a small organic farmer project. In August 1997, certification was given to 189 farmers in four villages as organic farmers. Bio Foods as Organic license holder, handled all the matters connected to the organic certification, leaf purchasing, processing and exporting.
After receiving the organic certificate, four societies were formed by the above 189 farmers in their four villages. These organic farmers combined these four branch societies together to form a welfare society and to further strengthen their social welfare and community development under democratic structure.
FLO registration
In 1998, after an examination of the activities of the farmer societies, the Small Farmer Welfare Society was certified under the Fairtrade as the objectives of this welfare society are similar to the objectives of the Fairtrade concept. This was the first small farmer organization in Sri Lanka registered under Fairtrade Labelling Organization. The above farmer society which originally registered as Small Organic Farmer Society was already implementing the preliminary development programs and getting FLO registration was helpful to expand its development programs by utilizing the Fairtrade premium money according to a democratic system. Thus, this Small Organic Farmer Society was gradually developed into a large organization as Small Organic Farmers’ Association (SOFA) with 59 branch societies consisting of 3670 farmers at present engaged in producing organic raw materials of tea, spice, coconut, herbs etc. according to the organic and Fairtrade standards. This was how Small Organic Farmers’ Association was born.
HOW SOFA WAS STRENGTHENED?
With the experiences SOFA had by depending on one trader partner and their organic licensee, the farmers realized that it is a barrier for their independency and disadvantageous for the farmers. Accordingly, they gradually started to handle all the operations including administrative, purchasing and organic certification programs and other activities independently according to the AGM (Annual General Meeting) decision as a real independent small producer organization.
As a result of this, since 2009 all the operations have been handled by the producer organization. Also, the organization could sign more beneficial local and overseas trader agreements with other traders and to obtain more benefits for its farmer producers.
Our Vision
“To establish an environmentally friendly, agriculturally developed, equally treated and economically empowered community”.
Our Mission
“To empower producers through a Fairtrade approach and sustainable organic farming, with a focus on high-quality production,
enhanced productivity, and improved living standards, while preserving socio-cultural & environmental harmony.”
Certification
Fairtrade Certification (Issued by FLO-CERT with FLO-ID No. 00558)
First grade small farmer organization certified by FLO-CERT since 1998.
Well qualified external inspectors of FLO-CERT annually audit the entire operation of SOFA against the Fairtrade Standards.
Decision making system, transparency of the finance and operation, community participation for development and the use of Fairtrade Premium democratically are some of the main aspects of the audit.
Internationally recognized certification programs for organic farming are well respected by our producer members.
All our agricultural lands and internal control system are inspected, audited and certified by the Control Union Certifications, which is a worldwide reputed inspection body.
At present, SOFA owns the licensee of the certification programs, as shown herein.
