Small growers say C.G.A. is not representing their interests

There is more discord in the citrus valley. Among the many issues affecting the citrus industry, one particular difficulty has been the representation of small growers at the management level of the Citrus Growers Association.  On July twenty-fourth the union held its annual general meeting where Norvia Jaime was elected to represent minority growers on CGA’s board of management.  It has been less than three weeks and the newly elected member is yet to perform the duties of her post.  That is because some of the small growers that she represents lack confidence in her and want the rules which govern the election of board members to be changed.  According to Mario Cho, a small grower, in order to facilitate the permanent representation of small growers on the board, the CGA must revisit its regulations.

Mario Cho, Member of Citrus Growers Association

mario cho

“We feel that there is a in-fight in the industry.  Because of that we felt that the small growers are left behind and we are not being taken care of by our association which is the CGA.  So to that extent that’s why we are here first of all.”

Isani Cayetano

“Speak to us on this problem, I know it has been a situation where this has been occurring for some time.  Has there been any negotiation, any formal discussion to table some of these issues?”

Mario Cho

“Well we met with the committee of management in our concern where our first concern is the structure of the board of directors which are the committee of management where we need to reform or do some reform in terms of we are saying that we would want.  Every year there are three members or rotation based that they elect.  We are saying that they should have one for small growers, one medium and one large grower so we have more participation so immediately that empowers the small growers and they have a say at the board level.  We are also saying that there are many things the CGA can help to do or to assist the small farmers in terms of we are saying if they can have a sub-office in our region, more down south, Independence area, where we can access the benefits from CGA such as fertilizers, pesticides and machinery.  And more so in machinery where the small farmers need a lot of help.  Right now we’re just using axe machete and so forth.  So those are the key things and any major decision the management committee should bring it to our level so we can understand and participate more but those are the main concerns we have at this time.”

The group of six citrus growers also question the level-headedness of the CGA board for its desire to purchase the shares of Banks Holdings Ltd. which they claim is asking for a payout of forty million dollars.  According to the men, the CGA is already in the hole for thirteen million dollars and the acquisition is bound to affect small growers.