Source: LABASA CANE
PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
The Labasa Cane Producers’ Assocation held its annual general meeting on the April 27, at the Labasa Civic Centre.
The Association has been paid a Fairtrade Premium of $2.4 million for 2012 crop.
Bearing in mind that sugar cane production in Labasa Mill area has dropped by 50 per cent over the last 10 years, more than 250 gang delegate members of the general assembly approved a premium plan giving priority to cane productivity projects.
The executive manager, Abhinesh Chand of Labasa Cane Producers’ Association said the association was paid the premium in December last year andi n February this year.
$10.9m in total
To date the association received a total of $10.9 million as Fairtrade Premium, after becoming the first organisation to be Fairtrade certified in Fiji in 2011.
The Fairtrade initiative was coordinated by Mohammed Habib (Technical Manager, Coordination Unit-EU Accompanying Measures for the Suga Protocol Programme), with support of the European Union, Tate & Lyle Sugars, Sugar Industry Stakeholders and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Supporting members
Since its establishment in 2010, the association has been helping support its members by implementing various programmes to improve productivity and improve the livelihoods of producers in remote rural communities.
Mr Chand said the association carried out the detailed needs assessment to identify the needs of its members and based on the needs assessment, the association board and management prepared the 2013 premium plan and presented it to the general assembly for approval on April 27.
Programmes such as the provision of subsidies on fertiliser and herbicides, grants for new planting and improved in-filed drainage have made visible impact on this year’s crop and as a result, an additional $2.75 million has been allocated for productivity improvement under the 2013 budget.
Non-utilised funds from the last premium year have been rolled over to the 2013 financial year programmes.
Projects and intiatives
Several community development projects, such as making available clean drinking water for rural communities and schools, small bridges and Irish Crossings, kindergartens and teaching aides for schools, was implemented last year.
An additional $400,000 has been allocated under the 2013 premium budget for 2013.
The association request its members to contact their gang delegates, Sector Directors or association office for further information on the 2013 projects that have been approved by the general assembly.
Acknowledgement
The association wishes to thank its Technical Advisor & Fairtrade Project Coordinator for Fiji Sugar Mr Habib, the European Union, sugar industry stakeholders and Tate & Lyle Sugars for their continued support towards the capacity building and development of the association.