Our work
Fairer markets. More possibility.
The Fair Market Project connects farming families in Shan State with a better deal for their produce.
The Fair Market Project
Investing in the people
behind the harvest.
When families must sell immediately after harvest, low prices and debt can limit their choices. Circuit supports a locally run social enterprise that buys, stores, mills and sells agricultural produce.
The published project model offers farmers 10% above the prevailing market price for rice paddy. The model uses trading income to sustain the buying cycle and a portion of profits to support training and community projects.
Understand the goals and evidence ↗
Buy directly
Local teams use community relationships to purchase produce from farmers.
Store and sell
Produce is stored, processed where needed and sold when market conditions allow.
Reinvest locally
The model puts a portion of profits towards training and community development.
Adapting to changing conditions
Building on earlier work.
Circuit’s programmes have included community lending through Seed Banks, education, health training and livelihood initiatives.
New Seed Bank lending has been paused since 2025 as conflict disrupted access. The Fair Market Project is our current programme focus. The 2020–2023 annual reports describe earlier work and should be read in that historical context.
Read the programme history ↗What your support makes possible
Put capital behind local capability.
A trading enterprise needs money to buy produce before it can earn income from selling it. Donations helped establish the Fair Market Project and help create room for it to grow.
Your support backs a practical cycle: purchasing crops, storing and processing them, reaching buyers and reinvesting. The ambition is an enterprise that can sustain more of its work through trade over time. Markets and conflict make that a goal to work towards, rather than a guaranteed return.
That is why committed supporters matter alongside capable local teams.
Help the work grow ↗A lasting connection
Help turn a harvest
into more possibility.
Put your support behind local people, fairer trade and the patient work of building stronger livelihoods. Give once, or become a Circuit Connector with a monthly gift.
Support the work