A COCOA and coffee farmer from Nicaragua will visit school children across the Gazette area to talk about her experiences  following the loss of a large portion  of her crop to disease.

Her visit will coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight which started on Monday (February 23) and will attend a number of events to talk about her experiences with the scheme.

Angela Jarquin, a coffee and cocoa producer from the Soppexcca Co-operative in the small Central American country, will help present lessons and assemblies about life in Nicaragua and how being a Fairtrade producer has impacted her.

She has recently diversified into growing cocoa after losing many coffee plants to disease as a result of climate change, and will share her experiences of the immediate impacts of climate change on farmers in developing countries.

Angela will visit a number of schools including Castle School in Thornbury, Horton Primary School in Chipping Sodbury and Winterbourne International Academy in Winterbourne. She will also be visiting local businesses and speaking at a range of Fairtrade events during her stay.

Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Howard Gawler said: “Fairtrade Fortnight offers the perfect opportunity to find out more about how the Fairtrade mark guarantees a fair deal for producers in developing countries.

“We are very pleased that Angela will be visiting South Gloucestershire to give us a first-hand account of her experience of producing coffee and cocoa in Nicaragua.”

Lydia Nash, Fairtrade co-ordinator at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Over the past 20 years, Fairtrade has paved the way for fairer and ethical trading but there is still a long way to go.

“We want to drive more benefits for farmers and workers in the Fairtrade system and make sure we can support those who aren’t, so they can receive a fairer deal too.

“Every Fairtrade choice counts for farmers and workers, as well as their families and communities.”

Angela will also be speaking at Thornbury Fairtrade Fair on Saturday, February 28 from 10am to 12pm, at The Swan, High Street, Thornbury. The fair offers a chance to meet Angela and hear her story, as well as enjoying a selection of stalls, a Traidcraft stand and Fairtrade food samples.

For more information call Lydia Nash on 01454 863119, email lydia.nash@southglos.gov.uk or alternatively visit www.fairtradesouthwest.org.uk or www.facebook.com/sgfairtrade