1. LESSONS LEARNED FROM MALAWI TEA 2020
PRESENTATION BY ATU KALINGA, VICE CHAIRMAN OF TEA ASSOCIATION OF MALAWI (TAML)
EASTERN AFRICAN TEA ASSOCIATION FOURTH CONVENTION 25-28TH JUNE 2019

2. Presentation outline Introduction Progress Key interventions
Lessons learned
Conclusion

4. Introduction What are the Key Objectives of Malawi Tea 2020
A Profitable Estate Sector
Healthier, motivated workforce with greater opportunities for women
A living wage for workers
A profitable smallholder sector where farmers earn a living income
Energy efficient and environmentally sustainable industry

5. Notable progress Increased wages to close the living wage gap.
Improved collective bargaining and capacity of Trade union
Development, launch and implementation of Gender Policy
investments producers in tea replanting, irrigation, factory refurbishment and crop diversification. Access to finance
Training on improved livelihoods for Smallholder farmers
Training on green leaf quality via Farmer Field Schools
Improved nutrition for estate workers
Training on diversified incomes via Village Savings and Loan Associations
Training on sustainable use of natural resources in tea communities

6. Key interventions
Bipartite engagement initiated by producers with Trade union.
Upscaling Nutrition and Housing programmes
Direct investments made by producers
Adoption and Translation of Gender policy into vernacular

7. Lessons
Interventions should be realistic and grounded on business and market principles
Producers must lead such interventions and take responsibility for their destiny.
Interventions at one origin for a product that is sourced from multiple origins can affect the competitive advantage of that origin. Having a development partner such as IDH as convenor has been highly beneficial to provide a balanced perspective
A subsidised industry does not work Buyer and producer interventions need to be properly managed.
Progression towards living wages needs – realistic expectations

8. Partners not always aligned
Challenges
Partners not always aligned
Progress towards Living Wages and Living Incomes must be adjusted to reflect the prevailing market conditions
Living Wages and Living Incomes are good aspirational targets, but very difficult to achieve
Malawi’s competitive advantage has suffered. Sales volumes to coalition partners and prices of Malawi teas have not necessarily increased

9. ASANTE