When development economics undermines development (Johannes Juetting, Brookings)

Some 25 years ago, as a young student, I spent three months in the Guinean (Conakry) rainforest to find out if coffee farmers in the region fulfilled the eligibility criteria for joining the “Max Havelaar FairTrade Coffee” Scheme, the first Fairtrade label with a proper certification mark that guarantees that products have been traded under fair conditions. I was particularly interested in documenting the different price levels, from farm gate price and retail price to the export price, to assess what kind of return a “fair priced” coffee could bring to the farmers.

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/future-development/posts/2016/05/04-development-economics-data-production-juetting