longitudinal impact assessment study of sugar producers in malawi

Some of the impacts of these Premium projects are recorded in the Case Studies
(Section 5.2).
An ambitious programme of work is planned for using the Fairtrade Premium over the
next five years, as follows:
Phase II electrification of Mtondeza village
Construction of Chinangwa Junior Primary School
At least 2 Trucks for transportation of sugarcane to the factory
Payment of school fees for farmers and their children to continue their
education
6 computers for 3 Secondary Schools as a way of improving IT skills in the
area. The targeted schools are: Chikwawa Secondary School; Mthumba
Secondary School; Dzumila Secondary School.
Construction of a Hall at Kasinthula for conferences and meetings.
Construction of a Lodge at Kasinthula as an Income Generating venture for
the Trust
5 boreholes (3 of which will be in non member villages)
Phase II electrification of Chinangwa village
Upgrading of the road with gravel between Chapananga road to Chinangwa
village (about 3 km of road length).
An ambulance since currently they rely on the Truck for transportation of the
sick
20 percent of ploughout component will be used to support about 50 ha of
Phase III expansion
Construction of the Namalindiwa to Mtondeza tap water network
Tree planting project.
8.2.1 Socio-economic impact data from David Phillips study in 2007/8
From interviews with 47 farmers up to June 2008, David Phillips (see his full account
in Annex 6, Volume 2 of this report) found that:
- 62% of farmers said they had experienced a large increase in income since
certification in 2004
- 55% had experienced improved credit access
- 40 % of farmers stated that their income was sufficient to meet basic needs
- 45% of farmers saved more money, and 45% bought more livestock
- 75% of farmers felt they had greater ability to make decisions to affect their
livelihoods
- 73% of farmers knew what the Fairtrade Premium is
- Most farmers believe there has been a positive impact on relations with
employees since certification
- 81% of farmers believe access to information about their cane has improved
- 72% of farmers stated they received some training – mostly in the form of
information about fair trade, sugar markets, and Good Agricultural Practice
(GAP)
- Since certification, 53% of farmers stated that they work harder, and 32%
stated they produce better cane
- 81% of farmers believe they now participate more in Kasinthula decision
making
The above data from Phillips strongly suggests that many of the sugar famers of
KCGL believed in 2008 that they were in a better economic, social and political
situation since certification. However Phillips’ data also shows that the majority of
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