Tag Archive for 'farming'

Election for committee members

The Kasinthula Cane Growers has the Trust Deed that guides farmers on how to run an organisation. The deed states that the elected members to take responsibility of representing farmers in all dimensions should be in a position for three years.

The current committee members agreed with the board members that their term shall continue until the term of the board directors which is almost 2 years.

When the issue came to ordinary farmers it held no more water. Some farmers referred the issue to the District Commissioner for assistance. More farmers are not happy with the current committee members specifically the Fairtrade Premium Committee and the main body committees for phase one and phase two.

The District Commissioner advised the complaining farmers that the Kasinthula management, some Traditional leaders and the Paramount Chief Lundu would meet on 4th May to set the Election Day. All farmers were then comfortable because they understood that the committee’s term was over and the new members should take over.

Interpretation of FLO-CERT response

I was about to go for lunch at Dyeratu when I received the mail from FLO-CERT. I went through it. I forwarded the mail to my bosses.

I urgently printed the 2 page document and presented it to the members. They also asked me to interpret into our local language. They all understood what was required by FLO-CERT for Kasinthula to get complied in and every time in order to continue selling sugar on Fairtrade deal for the betterment of the poor community.

Chemical weeding

Chemical weeding is very effective when applied by well trained people. I have been supervising chemical application in cane fields from 2003 to 2006.

Chemicals need proper handling to prevent skin contact or inhaling of the mist. Kasinthula Cane Growers managed to train the herbicide gung on agrochemical handling. The herbicide gung is now fully protected to comply with the chemical use standards.