Centad supports the research and advocacy initiatives of Oxfam International's Make Trade Fair (MTF) Campaign, launched in over 40 countries to fight against unfair agricultural trade rules that deprive the poor farmers of immense benefits of fair trade. MTF seeks to end dumping by rich countries and secure the right of poor countries to have the power to decide the pace and scale of opening up their own agricultural markets. (To read more about the MTF Campaign visit www.maketradefair.com).

The ‘power to decide' is the principal priority of MTF in South Asia . The priority was decided after extensive regional-level consultation on the theme of “Small-scale Agriculture in the Era of Globalisation” held in India and Bangladesh since June 2004.

This participatory process, which saw nearly 200 participants represent farmers' groups, labour movements, civil society, academia and the media, has helped in mapping issues and concerns around farming in South Asia on a spatial and thematic basis. It has also initiated a process that could lay the foundation for a coherent network for mass mobilisation on fairer trade.

Key MTF activities in South Asia include:

• Setting up of a Mobilise Research Advisory (READ) team comprising subject experts from Bangladesh and India
• Commissioning short case studies based on specific crops or regulatory mechanisms that have significant livelihood and food security implications
• Commissioning detailed research studies based on the findings of the short case studies
• Consulting key stakeholders

The ‘Power to Decide’ campaign is managed and coordinated by a special Project Management Team headed by Oxfam GB’s Regional Policy Advisor. Centad manages the research and advocacy component of the campaign.

The following papers have been published under this initiative: