“At HOWTIAN, we don’t just work with farmers—we stand by them. Fair trade means much more than a certification for us, it’s a promise to protect and uplift the communities that make our work possible.”
— Rina Wang, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
A Commitment Beyond Compliance
In today’s global landscape, transparency and ethical sourcing are more critical than ever. For HOWTIAN, a leader in global stevia production, the company’s commitment to fair trade goes beyond business sustainability. It’s also a commitment to nurturing its farming communities, and to ensuring they can sustain their families, their health, and their futures.
HOWTIAN’s integrated supply chain ensures that every step, from seedling nurseries to final production, upholds the highest standards of sustainability and fairness. Through its Contract Farming model, HOWTIAN works directly with stevia farmers across Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hebei, and Gansu provinces, providing financial security, agricultural training, and risk-sharing support. These partnerships aren’t just about the crops, but they represent an investment in the well-being of the people behind the crops.
When Crisis Strikes: HOWTIAN’s Lifeline for Farmers
Farming is unpredictable. Last season, a devastating hailstorm wiped out entire stevia crops in Jiayue Town, Zhucheng, leaving many farmers facing financial ruin. Rather than leaving them to bear the burden alone, HOWTIAN chose instead to step in—covering 50% of crop losses, helping farmers recover, and ensuring they could replant for the next season.
“For many farmers, a natural disaster can mean the difference between putting food on the table or not,” says Rina Wang. “Our Contract Farming model helps ensure these farmers don’t lose their livelihoods overnight.”
Investing in the Future: Training That Transforms Lives
Beyond immediate relief, education is also key to long-term sustainability. HOWTIAN launched a free Agricultural Sustainability Training Program in Zhangye, Gansu Province, equipping farmers with water-efficient irrigation techniques, crop rotation strategies, and pest control methods.
The results? Farmers who once struggled with unpredictable yields have now seen their incomes rise by up to 30%, their environmental impact reduced, and their financial stability strengthened.
“We provide our farmers with the latest in agronomy research and techniques so they’re best positioned for success, and so they can enjoy a sustainable and profitable career for generations to come,” says Rina Wang.
A Personal Fight: Supporting Farmers Through Illness
The challenges for farmers don’t stop at the fields. In recent years, two of HOWTIAN’s long-term stevia farming partners in Zhucheng were diagnosed with cancer, bringing devastating health challenges but also financial hardship for their families.
HOWTIAN decided to cover the family’s medical expenses, arranged continuous support, and ensured these farmers could focus on treatment instead of financial survival. Today, thanks to high-quality medical care and community support, both farmers have recovered and returned to their fields.
“We believe in long-term partnerships, and that means being there for our farmers, in sickness and in health.”
Rina Wang
The Bigger Picture: A New Standard for Ethical Farming
At a time when global supply chain ethics are under scrutiny, HOWTIAN is leading by example—not out of obligation, but out of genuine commitment. The company’s direct partnerships, risk-sharing model, and investment in farmer well-being serve as a blueprint for a more responsible and sustainable future in agriculture.
“This is about people. Real farmers, real families, real lives,” Rina concludes. “When you invest in fair trade, you invest in communities. You invest in a future where ethical sourcing isn’t a choice—it’s the standard.”
Through an ongoing commitment to transparency, sustainability, and human-centered impact, HOWTIAN is proving that responsible sourcing is not just a policy—it’s a promise.