longitudinal impact assessment study of sugar producers in malawi

The idea of growing came in the village through the chief. Not everyone received the
idea immediately. Those who did not want to grow cane left the village. He recalls
that in the same year, on 14/11/1998, farmers planted the first cane in Phase II as a
group.
He pointed out that the yield had declined mainly after the contract with a private
agricultural engineering comapny was discontinued. Since they started growing cane,
the proposal was for them to receive payment from Illovo once a year, but this was
inconvenient and an agreement was reached that farmers would be paid an advance
once a month, which has been periodically revised upwards following complaints
from farmers that the figure is too low.
Farmer 3 was very knowledgeable of Fairtrade issues and could explain the concept
without any problems. He indicated that his household had greatly improved since
certification and the beginning of Fairtrade Premium in 2004. He said that the
household had managed to do the following:
He indicated that previously the household never managed to harvest enough
maize for the whole year. But following the improvement in the status of the
household, and the use of both inorganic fertilizer and organic manure, he
indicates that they are now always food secure.
Bought a wheel barrow to assist in ferrying manure to the field and an ox-cart
Has managed to obtain a driving license with FT funds
Has applied for 15 bags (worth MK40,500 at the current price of cement or
US$285.21 9 ) of cement to build another house, and has acquired enough iron
sheets to roove the house
Has bought a bicycle which has improved mobility
Case Study 4: Farmer 4
Case Study 4 & Family Age Education Crops Grown
Farmer 4 25 Diploma in 2.5 ha of cane
Accounting 0.3 ha of maize
(spouse) 19 Std 8
daughter 3 years The only child they have
Farmer 4 reported that he used to grow some cotton and maize before the
introduction of cane to the village. The maize used to do very poorly because of the
soils.
He indicated that the field that he and is wife are cultivating used to belong to his
grandmother. When they started growing cane, they got a very small advance
(MK1000/month). This has gradually increased, and is currently MK12,000 per month
(gross). He indicated that during each year, there are at least 2 months when they
receive additional money after Illovo has reconciled its figures of cane volumes from
Kasinthula.
Farmer 4 indicated that Fairtrade had greatly improved his household. A number of
indicators were highlighted:
They are always food secure since they are able to buy food if they have run
out of their own production.
He managed to go through an accounting training at Business College where
the fees were paid with Fairtrade Premium funds
9 The exchange rate at time of writing is about MK142 to US$1.00
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