Cocoa is the lifeblood of the Caribbean country known as the Dominican Republic. In fact, 40,000 growers rely on it for a living. One of these people is 64-year-old Mariano Manzuela. But unlike most of the other cocoa growers, Mariano is less vulnerable to the volatile nature of the cocoa market.

Mariano’ advantage is that he is a member of a democratically run co-operative called CONACADO, along with 10,000 others. He’s been running his half-acre farm for 30 years, working from 6 am to 3 pm every day, tending his cocoa trees and other crops. He’s often struggled to cover the cost of food and education for his children. Being part of Fairtrade means he receives a fair and stable price for his cocoa, which is great news for planning ahead.

The money from Fairtrade mean Mariano can meet his needs, plus the co-operative receives the Fairtrade premium, an additional amount to invest in their business and the community. His children have benefitted from scholarships funded by this premium to pay for school expenses and exam fees, and a new class room at the local primary school. His greatest pride is that two of his children have now managed to win university places – helping to fulfil Mariano’s biggest hope that his children will get a good education.

Fairtrade sales in the UK broke through £1 billion last year but there is still a long way to go to get a better trading system for farmers in developing countries. More people are needed to make small steps towards a fairer world. Fairtrade Fortnight is asking us to register our own step amongst the 1.5 million steps that are being aimed for in 2012 – one step for every Fairtrade farmer and worker we expect to work with around the world. Show at least one other person how they can take a step and register it at www.fairtrade.org.uk/step.

Your January step: Start with a Fairtrade resolution – use a Fairtrade product you have not used before – take a Fairtrade gift (Fairtrade wine, flowers or chocolates) when visiting friends.

Your February step: Make it a Fairtrade Shrove Tuesday on the 21^st when buying your pancake ingredients. Be traditional by using Fairtrade lemons and sugar, or be adventurous and try a Fairtrade chocolate and banana filling.

The Shirley Fair Trade Shop has moved to Eastleigh and has opened as ''Shop Equality'' at 67B Cranbury Road (corner of Factory Road), SO50 5HB. Tel: 023 8057 4990. There are parking bays nearby. Anne Newton is stocking a limited range of Fair Trade goods, mostly groceries and confectionary, at 3 Willis Road, Swaything, Southampton, Tel: 023 8055 4674. You are welcome to come at any time to see what she has in stock.