The members of APOQ have developed a production incentive program that includes quarterly interest-free loans allocated according to individual farmers’ production levels. These funds (financed by Fair Trade premiums) allow farmers to offset their production costs and invest in improvements by financing supplies and equipment used to produce their bananas. Through this Fair Trade loan program, farmers no longer have to rely on expensive loans after the harvest season to fund production improvements. Access to cheaper loans ultimately increases farmers’ final earnings and in turn, will help them invest additional incomes in further production and improvements towards a better quality of life for their families.
