1. PSCPA signs Agreement with BSCFA for Joint Pilot on Child Labor Monitoring: Joint Pilot between BSCFA and PSCPA is currently underway in the sugar cane farming community of Guinea Grass, where both producer associations have a significant amount of members. Joint Pilot will be done using Fairtrade International’s model of child labor monitoring and remediation; both BSCFA and PSCPA will work together to mitigate child labor risk in its sugarcane production. As part of the Joint Pilot, PSCPA staff received a one day training on January 7th, 2017 from BSCFA and Fairtrade International on applicable Fairtrade Standards and YICBM&R Methodology.
2. Safety measures for handling, transporting and disposing chemicals: PSCPA is verycommitted in enhancing and building the knowledge of our farmers through capacity training. We are working on trainings for farmers to highlight the importance of handing chemicals safely. If used properly, pesticides can help to protect farmers’ sugarcane crop. However, if used incorrectly, these chemicals have the potential of causing serious harm to people and the environment. Farmers are therefore advised to use pesticides in the most safe & environmentally-friendly manner.
3. Biological Control- Integrated Pest Management: All farmers practice some type of Integrated Pest Management through normal crop production practices. PSCPA is offering trainings to its 4 zones on best pest managing practices. PSCPA’s aim is to prepare farmers with the necessary knowledge and practice on how to best control specific pests. This involves taking action to anticipate pest outbreaks and to prevent potential damage. The goal of these trainings is to prevent pests from reaching economically or damaging levels with
the least risk to the environment.
Contributor: Abihail Pech