Cane farmers still facing money problems under new C.E.O.

Sugar cane production decreased by twelve point six percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2009. But that is not the only problem plaguing the industry. Cane farmers are agitating for a general meeting of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association, and as they have in the past, they are concerned about the perceived excessive spending and want their fair share of eleven millions dollars of Fair Trade Funds. They also want to oust the new C.E.O. David Madrid. He replaced Carlos Magana, who was unceremoniously dumped last year over similar complaints.  Marion Ali traveled to Orange Walk Town today and got both sides of the story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The membership of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association is expressing concern over a number of issues including what they deem to be the extravagant spending of Fair-trade funds at a time when money is scarce.

Hector Melara, Spokesperson, BSCFA membership

hector melara

“Fair Trade funds came the May twenty eighth, from Europe from Fair Trade, and up to now the cane farmers, we have get anything.  It’s almost a month and a half.”

David Madrid, CEO, BSCFA

“Fair Trade sells the sugar and in return we get a premium.  Out of those premiums, yes there is that money that’s in the bank but in order for the process to be implemented the Fair Trade requires procedures, policies, work plans budgets to be fulfilled before they can go forth. The association is in the process of finalizing almost all the projects as we speak. It’s probably taken a little longer than anticipated; but this is the first time ever that the association has embarked on this type of procedures.”

Hector Melara

“We’re not supporting the budget right now because, well, we need the things free. We want the fertilizer free. We need more production and once we put more fertilizer we are definitely getting more production. And this year the crops was very bad”

David Madrid

“So far we have put almost eight hundred thousand dollars into froghopper, which is totally free.”

Marion Ali

What’s that ?

David Madrid

“That’s a infection to the cane itself, it gets into the roots, it hampers the growth and it can destroy crops.”

Marion Ali

Can more be provided? More than eight hundred thousand?

david madrid

David Madrid

“If need be I can provide as much as needs be, not to eradicate but to control the froghopper. Also I have half a million dollars into the social programs, for the farmers, which is free. I have my own plan to actually give free fertilization, fertilizer, for ten dollars per bag cause return that ten dollars will be used to administer to the debts , only the debts of the association because we’re indebted. Before when they get fertilizer it didn’t end up in the fields. So, I had to ensure by hiring, field officers, even though we give your fertilizer we will ensure that it goes where it’s suppose to go and that’s to your field.”

Marion Ali

What was being done with the fertilizer?

David Madrid

“Some of it was found in stores, some of it was found in Spanish Lookout, some of it was found in Little Belize. It was going almost everywhere that it was not intended to go.”

But there were also issues not directly linked to finance that the farmers have brought to the fore, such as taking a poll of who does not support their Chief Executive Officer, David Madrid.

Hector Melara

“We got over a thousand five hundred signatures.”

Marion Ali

And how many farmers total make up the Association?

Hector Melara

“Five thousand nine hundred and – almost six thousand.”

Marion Ali

And you only have –

Hector Melara

“Twenty five percent of signatures.”

Marion Ali

Twenty five percent?

Hector Melara

“Yes ma’am.”

Marion Ali

So they would probably say to that you don’t even have a quarter of the population so…

Hector Melara

“They might say that; but the people – because it was in just in one week that

we started to take down signatures and we do everything in one week. And there was a lot paper that stayed there without we receiving it, you understand?”

Marion Ali

But do you have the majority of the farmers behind you?

Hector Melara

“Oh yes, definitely, definitely.”

David Madrid

“First of all the signatures that they’re talking are not verified but I would take it that they were truthful to the signatures. Second of all, the CEO is mandated by policies that he carries out the policies of Committee of Management. He does not write policies, he carries out the duties mandated by them. That’s what I do. I carry out the duties. The CEO is not allowed to sign contracts. The CEO is not allowed anymore to write policies and procedures, that has to be a direct result of what they do, what’s mandated to the Committee of Management. So, I’m doing everything in my power to carry out my duties within my limited capacity as CEO.”

Hector Melara

“The first thing they did as the money as the monies come, they bought vehicles, they bought ATV’s, they even turn over a vehicle and we don’t know anything, so that’s why we think our monies is just being thrown away.”

David Madrid

“The vehicle that they’re talking about is a vehicle that was seven years old. It was insured to the limit that we can get on it, which is third party, they won’t do comprehensive because the vehicle is too old. So it is a total lost.”

Madrid says that the Association’s administration will meet the farmers’ request and hold a general meeting with them on July twenty fifth during which they will ventilate their concerns and chart a way forward.  Marion Ali for News Five.

David Madrid has been serving as the CEO of the Belize Sugar cane Farmers Association for the past six months and has two years and four months left to serve in that capacity.