A Welsh organic arable and dairy farmer and a sugar farmer from Malawi will compare their different experiences of trying to achieve a fair price for their produce on a visit to a Ceredigion farm on Friday (March 6).
Farmers’ Union of Wales Ceredigion county chairman Aled Rees will welcome Allan Saidi who has been a sugar cane farmer for ten years in Malawi, to his 150-acre organic dairy farm at Trefere Fawr, Penparc Cardigan. The family farm a further 700 acres of organic beef, sheep and arable along with the dairy unit. They will be joined by the deputy minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans AM.
The FUW and Fair Trade Wales formally teamed up to promote fair prices for food producers in Wales and throughout the developing world at the 2008 Royal Welsh Winter Fair – shortly after Wales was officially declared the first ever Fair Trade Nation.
“The FUW firmly believes that a Welsh dairy farmer who wants a fair price for his milk in the market should want to see sugar farmers like Allan get a fair price too. The two principles should have equal priority worldwide.
“We strongly support the efforts of efficient small farmers who are producing food in a sustainable manner,” he added.
Deputy minister for farming and food, Rebecca Evans said: “Becoming the first Fair Trade Nation was a huge moment for Wales and showed the world that we are an outward-looking, compassionate nation which cares about ensuring farmers and food producers receive a fair deal. We are committed to supporting better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers, and this is leading to improved living standards for individuals and families while also helping to protect the environment.”
Mr Saidi is also secretary of the Fairtrade Premium Committee – the elected committee which manages projects chosen by Kasinthula Cane Growers’ Association (KCGA) members and funded by the Fairtrade Premium and is also responsible for monitoring Fairtrade projects and updating farmers with progress reports as well as writing minutes, keeping records and ensuring farmers are aware of the requirements of Fairtrade Standards.
“Malawi’s sugar sector is vital for the country’s economy – in 2013 sugar exports were worth $114m, making it the second most important export commodity after tobacco. Sugar is grown as a mono-crop and is generally the main source of income for smallholder producers, who also grow food crops and keep livestock. Agriculture provides a livelihood for over 85 percent of the population, of which around 90 percent are smallholders," said Mr Saidi.
“KCG is a smallholder sugar cane project located in an inhospitable region of southern Malawi. Long droughts occasionally result in famine, and the twice-yearly rains often bring floods – in January 2015 many farmers were affected by Malawi’s worst floods for fifty years that killed several hundred people, displaced thousands more and caused extensive damage to crops, livestock and infrastructure.
“Literacy levels are low and poverty is widespread in the region. Most people live in basic mud huts with thatched roofs and few can afford to keep livestock. Families eke out a living growing maize, cassava or rice, while others earn cash from sugar cane or cotton, or by labouring on nearby sugar plantations. Other challenges faced by farming communities include high input costs, poor rural infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, and a lack of agricultural extension services and appropriate technology,” added Mr Saidi.