WIBDI: Samoan Women Turning Organic Farms and Fine Mats Into Global Trade

Women in Business Development Incorporated has worked since 1991 to help vulnerable Samoan families earn a living from certified organic farming and traditional fine-mat weaving instead of relying solely on remittances. WIBDI became The Body Shop's organic virgin coconut oil supplier in 2007, and by 2016 around 200 Samoan families were producing 32 tonnes of the oil a year for use in more than 30 Body Shop products sold worldwide. Today more than 700 Samoan families farm organically certified land across Samoa, connected to buyers through WIBDI's own Farm to Table smartphone app. The organization also runs an Inclusive Employment program supporting people with disabilities within the farming and weaving value chains.