From Seed to Fruit: The Story of Fairness
Every seed tells a story. It starts quietly in the soil, small and unassuming, waiting for the right moments of sunlight, rain, and care. Slowly, it sends out roots, reaching deeper into the earth. With time, patience, and nurturing, it grows into a plant that blooms, bears fruit, and supports life around it.
Much like this seed, the journey of Cultivators with the Fair for Life (FFL) certification began as a humble possibility. At first, it was a spark of curiosity, what does Fair for Life mean? How can it create a fair and sustainable system for farmers, communities, and the planet? From that initial question grew a path of discovery, care, and dedicated action.
The Fair for Life certification is more than a label, it is a symbol of ethical trade, fair pay, and sustainable farming. From the moment this possibility was planted, it grew into a meaningful reality, touching the lives of farmers, supporting families, strengthening communities, and caring for the planet.
The Roots of Fair for Life
The idea of fairness in trade and farming took root in 2006, when the Bio-Foundation created the Fair for Life certification. Over time, the IMO (Institute for Marketecology) became a part of the initiative, further strengthening its global reach. In 2017, the FFL standards were revised to meet modern challenges, putting more focus on ethical trade and sustainability.
It was in September 2017 that Cultivators took its first step toward this path, applying for Fair For Life certification. By March 2018, the certification was granted, a recognition not just of compliance, but of commitment to fairness and sustainability.
The Fair for Life certification is more than a label. It reflects values:
● For People: Supporting farmers with fair pay and empowering communities through education and well-being.
● For Plants: Promoting organic, regenerative cultivation that nurtures growth and protects biodiversity.
● For the Planet: Encouraging sustainable practices that preserve ecosystems and reduce environmental impact.
A Journey Measured in Dedication
Each year since certification, Cultivators have consistently been evaluated and ranked. These numbers are more than statistics, they are footprints of resilience and steady dedication.
| Year | Rank |
| 1st Year | 86.2% |
| 2nd Year | 89.4% |
| 3rd Year | 89.3% |
| 4th Year | 80.1% |
| 5th Year | 86.3% |
| 6th Year | 87.1% |
These scores are not mere percentages, they tell a story of farmers hard work, community spirit, and the careful balance of ethical practices.
Listening Deeply to Farmers
The journey began not with paperwork but with listening. Social and economical surveys were carried out across villages and forest areas by our dedicated team where sourcing partners, farmers live and grow their crops.
These surveys investigated:
● Family backgrounds and the number of family members in their homes.
● How many members in the household are dependent on others or earning independently
● Farm conditions, soil health, and cultivation practices that are already followed.
This deep research offered insights into both struggles and strengths. It became the base for meaningful action. Carrying out these surveys in forests, fields, and villages required both resilience and empathy. It meant listening to unspoken worries, walking through uneven paths, and patiently learning how daily realities shape farming lives. This groundwork became the soil in which all future initiatives could take root.
Steps That Changed Lives
From research came real change, actions that continue to touch thousands of lives.
Some of the most impactful steps include:
● Offering a 15% premium fair pay for crops, helping families meet daily needs and plan for the future.
● Training of more than 1,000 farmers in sustainable and organic farming methods.
● Offering organic farm inputs like natural pesticides to improve soil fertility.
Beyond Numbers: A Shared Achievement
Today, Cultivators holds the 87th rank in Fair for Life certification. Yet this recognition is not a trophy, it is a mirror reflecting the resilience of farmers, the support of communities, and the care for soil and nature.
This milestone belongs not to one, but to many:
● The farmers who wake before sunrise tend their fields.
● The families who trust in fair systems to bring stability.
● The communities who thrive when fairness becomes part of trade.
Together, these actions transformed farming into something more secure, dignified, and sustainable.
What It Means for People, Plants & the Planet
Certification is not the destination, it is a reminder that fairness is a continuous journey. For people, it means dignity and empowerment. For plants, it means cultivation that respects soil, water, and biodiversity. And for the planet, it means hope: hope that ethical and sustainable practices can restore balance.
Every purchase of a Fair for Life certified product becomes part of this cycle. A cup of herbal tea, a wellness ritual, or a simple choice at the shelf carries with it unseen stories of farmers receiving fair pay, soil being nourished naturally, and communities moving toward brighter futures.
Together, We Grow: People, Plants & the Planet
Like a plant that grows with patience, the journey of Cultivators with Fair for Life is ongoing. The 87th rank is not a culmination, it is a reminder of resilience, of shared responsibility, and of the fruits that fairness can bring.
Cultivators journey with Fair for Life is a steady pursuit of fairness and sustainability, a journey of nurturing, listening, and growing together, for people, plants, and the planet.
