Busine Focus. As per TAMA Constitution, INSIDE TAMA PRESIDENCY UP FOR GRABS. First Quarter. January - March 2017

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1 TAMA Busine Focus INSIDE First Quarter January - March 2017 TAMA PRESIDENCY UP FOR GRABS Industry seminar changes format - page 2 Pic by TAMA Communications ARET challenged on laboratories - page 4 Adindo atsopano ku TAMA - 5 Whoever takes up the mantle becomes the ITGA Vice President as well As per TAMA Constitution, the term for the Council that came to power in 2012 expired in February 2017 and with the elections that took place in all the 21 Council Areas, it remains for the democratically elected members of the new Council to elect their leader who becomes the President and Chairperson of the Council. The Executive Committee of the Council shall serve a fiveyear term and shall be eligible for re-election but they shall not serve for more than two terms consecutively in any one position unless Council votes in a secret ballot by a threequarter majority for extension, reads section of the Constitution. Section goes to articulate that the President or Chairman of the Association shall have requisite qualifications for him / her to be considered for the position and that these shall include but not limited to those with impeccable leadership track record and skills and preference to be given to those with personal sound financial backing, a grower and those who have good and strategic leadership vision. The elections are expected to take place on 30th March 2017 during the first Council Meeting of the term. it is expected that the Council will also elect the first Vice President, second Vice President, the Finance Chairman, Deputy Finance Chairman and two Executive Members among other positions. OSH project extends to South - page 7 Previous TAMA Presidents Pics from file

2 Pic by Sam Kalimba Pic from file 2 Industry News Industry seminar changes format Editorial A 30 to 36% decline in burley production compared to last season is a significant drop in recent memories (2012 produced 79 million Kg of all tobacco types). The estimate translates to between 100 and 120 million Kg of burley compared to 175 million Kg sold last year; and is less compared to this year s buyer demand of 121 million Kg. We may take solace in the expected bumper yields of the other crop types (diversification, yes), but the cash proceeds that would be lost because of the tobacco lost volume is significant, and economically important to the livelihoods of the masses and the country at large. Going by the law of supply and demand, farmers are expecting a rewarding season for their toil. However, this will not come on a silver platter. The fight for good market prices is still on the golden leaf must be well taken care of. The merchant would love to see some good quality leaf on the market. The leaf that is homogenous in the bale (no mixes, no NTRM, no nesting, no sand, etc) and not over conditioned. The editorial Team wishes all farmers a pleasant marketing season. Breaking News TAMA proudly donated chairs to the Mpherembe Area Development Committee for their self-built Meeting Hall at the Senior Chief Mpherembe's Head Quarters on Friday, 24 March Mr. Maigwa presents the Chairs to Inkosi mpherembe David Luka: We are saving time for other equally important matters Beginning from March 2017, the tobacco industry seminar changed format from 2 or more days previously to only one single day. On 1 March 2017, all tobacco industry stakeholders on the local scene gathered at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) as per tradition to review the past season that ended in January 2017 but it was unusual in the sense that previously such gatherings took more than two days. According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Tobacco Control commission, the body that organises such meetings, Mr. David Luka, the trend has changed with the coming in of a steering committee that was instituted and began its work in The Steering Committee that is involving industry captains started meeting last year and it has proven to be an effective approach as it will be dealing with challenges instantly rather than waiting for end of season as it used to be previously. This is why this year we just met for a day as a general industry seminar, he said. The Steering Committee will be meeting every month to review, plan and action relevant stakeholders to undertake their duties and responsibilities. North tobacco gurus call for early tobacco market open On 18 February 2017the Tobacco Association of Malawi facilitated a meeting for corporate tobacco growers for the Northern Malawi at Mphatso Motel in the City of Mzuzu where the participants agreed to ensure sending the leaf to the floors this year same time as the other regions do to ensure that they earn similar value as the other markets offer. Presenting the proposal was TAMA Councilor for Area 16 that covers Mzimba South and Nkhatabay who is also a corporate tobacco grower himself, Mr. Boyden Ndhlovu. He argued that with the revelations that the country will produce less than the demand, then the usual late opening of Mzuzu Floors will be met by high rejections. We all know that buyers are the same and that they have quotas for different types of the leaf and they begin with the bottom leaf. What it means is that if we delay again this year, they will have filled their bottom leaf quotas from the other markets and we will have no one to buy our bottom leaf, he told the gathering. Councilor, Hon. Harry Mkandawire who chaired the meeting encouraged his fellow growers to take heed of the advice and help in disseminating the resolution to all farmers who sell their tobacco at the Mzuzu Auction Floors. We can only achieve this objective if we work as a unit so tell all other farmers to send their leaf once dates are publicised, said Mkandawire.

3 3 Afforestation in pictures TAMA President, Mr. Maigwa plants his tree in Mchinji Guest of Honour at the 2017 National Launch of the ARET /TAMA joint afforestation spree in Mchinji on 9th February, Chief Director for Environment, Dr. Yanira Ntupanyama plants her tree. Mchinji DC, Mrs. Rosemary Moyo Planting her tree at Chimteka ARET Director & CEO, Andy Khumbanyiwa planting his tree in Mchinji Acting CEO for TAMA Lemson Chitawo planting his tree in Mchinji T/A Simphasi being assisted to plant his tree at Chimteka Village ARET Regional Manager for South, Mr. Mgalima planting a tree at Nachiswe School in Zomba on 27 February TAMA Regional Manager for the South Kelvin Khonje planting a tree at Nachiswe in Zomba Cllr. R. Sulumba planting his tree at Nachiswe in Zomba as the Guest of Honour TAMA & ARET Regional Managers for the North planting a tree at Khata School, Nyungwe in Karonga A pupil reading a poem during the Khata tree planting in Karonga Cllr. Siame pianting a tree at Khata in Karonga as Guest of Honour.

4 4 Stakeholder Relations ARET challenged on laboratories Mtonga: Laboratories to be closer to farmers Growers in Rumphi challenged the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET) to ensure establishing mobile laboratories to ensure an effective service delivery in as far as assisting growers to know their soil types is concerned. ARET s extension worker who spoke during the 2017 TAMA Annual Area Meetings in Rupmhi a Mr. Nkhoma told the grower participants that one of ARET s duties is to test the soil samples of the farmers farms with an intention to advise the farmers on the accurate types of inputs. However, one grower a Mr. Reuben Mtonga of Chibalazi Village Traditional Authority (T/A) Jalavikuwa in Mzimba District wondered why the soil samples have to be tested in Lilongwe at Kandiya Research Station and not close to the farms. I suggest that ARET should consider coming up with mobile laboratories so that they service us adequately and efficiently, said Mtonga. The farmer also wondered why the tobacco seeds that are distributed to contracted farmers by the tobacco merchants across the country are the same reflecting to the fact that all soils are the same a thing he said is not practical. But on a separate interview, ARET s Extension Communications Officer Maurice Mantchombe said that the views said by the farmer are correct but not practical either. Take for instance the issue of mobile laboratories, it is not easy to move the equipment and maintain its status without disturbing the formulae. I would agree with him only if he could suggest that there be regional laboratories, said Mantchombe. Minimum standards for tenant engagement on farms It is a known fact that stakeholders out there are calling for the abolition of the tenancy system but as the process is still on the Tobacco Processors Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour have set a list of minimum standards that tobacco farmers should meet if they are to engage tenants at their farms. The list stipulates that the grower must provide accommodation for the tenants that meet basic needs (a standard two bedroomed house with provisions of a kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and clean/safe drinking water, washing water at their accommodation, in the fields and around curing barns and keeping all Crop Protection Agents (CPA) and dangerous tools/equipment, locked up and away from children s reach. The conditions also demand that the grower must not take any deposit from the tenant when hiring, must not accept to keep the tenant s identity document even when willingly given by the tenant, the grower must have written contracts with all the tenants (in a language they both can understand) specifying the rights of the tenants with regard to remuneration, overtime and right to leave the farm (with reasonable notice) In terms of remuneration the list of conditions stipulates that the grower must pay the tenants individually and directly at least once a month and in compliance with the minimum wage laws or a lump sum as agreed by the grower and the tenant. Brace for low tobacco production- TCC The tobacco industry s sole mouth piece, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) through its Acting CEO Mr. David Luka told reporters in Ntchisi on the sidelines of the TAMA Annual Area Meeting launch on 11 February this year that it is expected that the 2017 tobacco production will be low. It looks like we will have less production than what we need as a trade requirement as the two crop estimates so far conducted by the industry led by us show that we will Pic by TAMA Communications have a 35% or so drop from last year s production which is way below the demand for this year, said Luka. Other independent surveys also point to Malawi having low tobacco production this year as pointed out by a Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) report aired on both TV and radio in February done in Kasungu by Noel Nkubwi and also that of TAMA. Nkubwi reported that the crop production On fair treatment, freedom of association and compliance with the law the list puts it that tenants shall be free to come together for the purpose of pursuing common interests and goals, the grower will endeavour to have a good relationship with the tenant and will not use physical force or intimidation against them, and that the grower and the tenants shall be able to discuss any grievances in an open and fair manner. The list also demands the tenants to sale all the tobacco leaf to the grower who has engaged him and not use other markets. TAMA is distributing brochures on the same. has gone down in that area this year. TAMA also did its own internal survey and the findings lead to having a reduced volume as well. Sources also indicate that the merchant s own surveys point to the same. It is yet to be known how the market s price matrix will be. This year s tobacco season is due for opening by early April.

5 Kwagwanji 5 TAMA yasankha adindo atsopano Kutsatira zisankho zomwe zinaliko mumwezi wa Febuluwale, tsopano makhansala a bungwe la alimi a fodya la TAMA lili ndi mankhansala atsopano omwe alumbiritsidwe pa 30 Marichi chaka chino. Izi zachitika potsatira malamulo akulu oyendetsera bungweli omwe amalola kuti makhansalawa akhale pa mpando kwa zaka zisanu zokha basi. Choncho mumisonkhano ya pachaka ya alimi afodya yomwe inachitika m dziko lonse, alimi anadzisankhira okha atsogoleri owayimirira kumadera kwawoko. AREA 1 AREA 2 Cllr. Rhodes Sulumba Zomba, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Thyolo and Mulanje Districts AREA 8 Cllr. Kalichero Lilongwe North East (Nsaru/Kasiya) AREA 9 Cllr. Hon. Kayo Zimchetera Mchinji District AREA 15 AREA 16 Cllr. A.K. Banda Cllr. Boyden Kasungu West Ndhlovu Mzimba South, Nkhata Bay Msonkhano woyamba unachitika pa 11 Febuluwale ku Ntchisi ndipo yemwe anali khansala wa m Bomali Bambo Reuben Maigwa anasankhidwanso kuti ayimilire Boma la Ntchisi lomwe ndi Dera 13, mzaka zisanu zikudzazi. Pa 13 Febuluwale misankhano inayi inachitika pa Champhira EPA ku Mzimba, pa Kamuzu Stadium ku Blantyre, Linthipe EPA ku Dedza, pa Depoti ya TAMA ya Kasiya ndi pa Malingunde CCAP ku Lilongwe komwe ku Blantyre ndi ku Kasiya kunasankhidwa mankhasala atsopano pomwe AREA 3 Cllr. B. Kalongonda Blantyre, Mwanza, Neno, Chikwawa, Phalula, Manjawira, Balaka, Bwanje Valley, Nankumba, Chilipa Ntcheu AREA10 Cllr. M. Kalukusha Dowa East AREA 4 Cllr. Mack Sande Machinga District AREA 11 Cllr. Anold Wakisoni Dowa West kwina konseko anabwereza makhansala akale. Pa 14 Febuluwale misonkhano inali pa Mpherembe CCAP ku Mzimba, pa Depoti ya TAMA ya pa Sharpe Valley Nanyangu ku Ntcheu, pa Sekondale ya Magawa ku Mchinji ndi pa msika wa Kasuntha ku Dowa komwe ku Dowa kokha ndikomwe anasankha Khansala wa tsopano. Pa 15 Febuluwale misonkhano inali pa Rumphi CCAP, pa Ntaja RDP ku Machinga, pa Benga ku Salima ndi pa madepoti a TAMA apa Mphomwa ndi Chinkhoma ku Kasungu komwe konseku makhansala AREA 5 Cllr. Denis Dias Mangochi District, Namwera and Makanjira akale anawasankhanso. Pa 16 Febuluwale misonkhano inali pa Chitipa CCAP ndi pa St. Augustine ku Mangochi komwenso makhansala akale anawasankhanso. Kumaliza kwa misonkhanoyi pa 17, 18 ndi pa 24 Febuluwale ku Lilongwe, Mzuzu ndi ku Blantyre komwe alimi afodya akuluakulu anasankhanso atsogoleri awo koma ndi ku Mpoto kokha komwe anasankhanso Khansala wakale. Zambiri zazotsatira zazisankhozi zili m munsimu. Mndandanda wa ma Khansala a TAMA a 2017 mpaka 2022 AREA 17 Cllr. A.M. Jere Mzimba North Viphya and Chikangawa AREA 18 Cllr. Bentry Kumwenda Rumphi District AREA 6 Cllr. George Amiel Jim Dedza District AREA 12 AREA 13 Cllr. A.M.K. Cllr. R.J. Banda Maigwa Salima and Nkhotakota Ntchisi District Districts AREA 19 AREA 20 Cllr. A.V. Siame Cllr. Chiwembu.J. Karonga and Chitipa Districts Nkhata Large growers Central AREA 7 Cllr. Alfred Mkanakufa Lilongwe South and West AREA 14 Cllr. B.Z. Phiri Kasungu East, Kasungu Mchinji and Mchinji Districts AREA 21 Cllr. Hon. Harry Mkandawire, MP. Large Growers, North Mbali imodzi ya alimi omwe analiko ku msoknhano wa ku Ntchisi Pic by TAMA Communications

6 6 Zatsopano Kanyamulidwe kafodya kasintha Kuyambira chaka chino, Bungwe loyang anira malonda ndi ulimi wa fodya la TCC mogwirizana ndi onse okhudzidwa alengeza kuti alimi akuyenera kutumiza fodya wawo kudzera ku mabungwe awo monga la TAMA. Izi zinakambidwa kumsonkhano wawukulu wokambirana momwe msika ndi ulimi wa fodya unayendera mchaka chapitachi. Wogwirizira mpando wa wamkulu wa Bungwe la TCC Bambo David Luka anati izi zinayambika zaka zapitazo ku mpoto TAMA ili ndi woyang anira ntchito zake wa tsopano Zinadza modzidzimutsa ndi mozizilitsa nkhongono pamene mkulu wakale woyendetsa ntchito za TAMA Bambo Graham Kunimba anauza msonkhano wadzidzi wa akuluakulu akubungweli mu mwezi wa Januwale chaka chino kuti iye anali atatsanzika kuti wasiya ntchito. Utafika mwezi wa Febuluwale ndipomwe aliyense wogwira ntchito ku likulu la Bungeweli anavomereza kuti Bambo Kunimba analidi atasiya kuyendetsa ntchito za TAMA ndipo kuti m malo mwake, yemwe anali mkulu wa za chuma ndi kagwiridwe ka ntchito mnthawi ya a Kunimba, Bambo Lemson Chitawo ndiwomwe anayamba kugwirizira mpandowo. Bambo Chitawo anafotokozera ndi kum mwera ndipo chaka chino zafika chigawo chapakati. Ngati azathu mzigawo zakumpoto ndi kum mwera anakwanitsa mopanda vuto ndikhulupiriranso kuti anzathu achigawo chapakati akwanitsa mopanda vuto kuti tsopano zikhale kuti dziko lonse lili ndi ndondomeko zofanana zonyamulira fodya, anatero a Luka. Iwo anati zomwe zikutanthauza ndi zakuti ngati mlimi anyamulitsa galimoto yomwe siyabungwe lomwe analembetsa ku TCC ndiye kuti silikalowa kumsika ndikugulitsidwa. Chaka cha zisankho ndi atsogoleri akale Chaka cha 2017 chikhala chaka chosayiwalika mu mbiri ya Bunmgwe la TAMA kamba koti kumapeto a mwezi wa Malichi kukhala zisankho zosankha Mtsogoleri wa TAMA yemwe amatchedwa Pulezidenti. Zisankho ngati izi zinachitikanso mchaka cha 2012 ndipo Bambo Maigwa ndiwo anasankhidwa ngati Pulezidenti wa TAMA. Zisankhozi zichitika zitatha zisankho za m madera a makhansala ndipo madera khumi ndi awiri ndi womwe anakwanitsa kudzisankhira okha atsogoleri awo. Dera limodzi loyimirira alimi akuluakulu akum mwera silinachite zisankho zawo. Ichi ndi chifukwa chake kukuyembekezereka kuti atsogoleri amadera khumi ndi awiri okha ndiwomwe ali ovomerezeka kusankha ndi kusankhidwa pa mipando monga upulezidenti, wachiwiri kwa pulezidenti, wachitatu kwa pulezidenti, msungi chuma msonkhano wa ogwira ntchito onse akulikulu la Bungweli kuti iwo anapatsidwa mwayi woti akhaliretu pampandowu osati kungogwirizira chabe koma kuti iwo anakana. Ndinapemphedwa kuti ndipitirire koma ndinawapempha kuti andilore ndikapume pakuti zaka zogwirira ntchito zadutsa. Choncho ndigwirizira mpaka mgwirizano wathu ufike pamapeto mu mwezi wa June chaka chino, anatero a Chitawo. Kuchoka kwa a Chitawo pampando wawo kunachititsanso kuti mipando ingapo ku gawo la zachuma igwedezekenso motero, yemwe anali mkulu wowelengera chuma cha Bungweli Bambo Andrew Mfune anapatsidwa mpando woyang anira za chuma ndi kagwiridwe ka ntchito ndinso mlembi Mkulu wa zamalonda ku Bungwe la TAMA, Bambo Felix Thole walangiza alimi omwe ndi a TAMA kuti achenjere ndi akamberembere omwe angabwere kuminda kwawo ndikufuna kuwanyamulira fodya wawo m dzina la TAMA kuti angakawasinthire ma belo awo ndikukawagulitsira pa chitupa china. Iwo anati ogwira ntchito a TAMA apemphedwa kulandira fodya yekhayo yemwe ndi wa memmabala wa TAMA basi. wa bungweli. Awiriwa anayamba kugwira ntchito zawo kuyambira pa 1 Febuluwale chaka chomwe chino. Bambo Chitawo: Ndigwirizira chabe ndi wachiwiri wake, ndinso amphika nkhani awiri. Mipando yonseyi ndiyoti omwe asankhidwe akuvomerezeka kukhalapo kwa zaka zina zisanu zikubwerazi motero zisankho zina zidzachitika mu chaka cha Mbiri yomwe ikupezeka, atsogoleri akale omwe anakhalapo ma pulezidenti ndi monga Bambo B.B. Mtawali womwe anatsogolera bungweli kuyambira mchaka ch 1980 mpaka 1982, Bambo E.D Pyman kuyambira 1983 mpaka 1987, Bambo H.B.J. Ntaba kuyambira 1988 mpaka 1995, Bambo A.B. Mzumachalo kuyambira 1995 mpaka 1999, Bambo A.W. Kamulaga kuyambira chaka cha 1999 mpaka cha 2007, Bambo C.A. Mwansambo kuyambira chaka ch 2007 mpaka cha 2009 ndi Bambo R.J. Maigwa omwe anayamba mchaka cha 2009 mpaka chaka chino cha zisankho. Tsamba lathu loyamba pali nkhope za atsogoleri amenewa.

7 File photo 7 Child Labour OSH project expands to the South With the good technical and financial performance in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) project that ended in December last year, the Elimination of Child Labour in Tobacco growing (ECLT) Foundation approved another funding that will see TAMA taking the programs to the Southern Region as well. According to the contract paper, Utwe Cooperative of Dzaone EPA in Zomba District has been targeted. The paper shows that the Cooperative s leadership, the Councilor, the Alternate Councilor and the Delegate Councilor for the Area will join a training of trainers that will include four TCC Division Managers and the four TAMA Regional Managers. This will be for the first time that an ECLT funded project gets into the Southern Region as most programs under the Child Labour Elimination Actions for Real change (CLEAR) both phases I and II have been to the Northern and Central Regions only. Child labour fight checked The National Statistical Office (NSO) in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development and Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Man-Power Development conducted the 2015 National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) between September and December Following finalization of the survey report, NSO released a report through what it called a national dissemination meeting which was held in Lilongwe, at Sunbird Capital Hotel, from 830am on Friday, 17th March The 2015 National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) was conducted between September and December 2015 with technical and financial assistance from the ILO. The meeting was presided over by the Minister of Finance, Honorable Goodall Gondwe in the presence of the PS for the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Man-Power Development, Mr. Luckie Sikwese. In his remarks, Gondwe asked the District Commissioners who were present to ensure that they help their people to avoid using child labour in order to reduce the impact. In my time people used to bear children so that they help the parents with chores, you DCs you stand a better position to curb this mindset in modern times, he said. Utwe Cooperative to benefit He also told the District Labour Officers to come out of their cacoons and feel important as they execute their duties. When I was Minister of Local Government I used to visiting Districts but I never met a Disrict Labour Officer, you are very important and help us reduce the figures of child labour prevelances, Gondwe said. The survey aimed at providing up-to-date information on children s work to facilitate decision-making and to serve as a reference for protection of children s rights in the country and also providing a reliable and comprehensive basis for determining priorities for national action for the elimination of child labour, particularly children in hazardous work, considered as a worst forms of child labour. Relevant Statistics in the study include The survey revealed that there were 5.6 million children aged 5 to 17 years, 2,788,336 were females and 2,785,669 were males. About 4.9 million (88%) of these chil dren were attending school, 7% were no longer in school whilst the rest had never attended school (5%). 47% of children aged 5 to 17 years were reportedly to be involved in economic ac tivities in the last seven days prior to the survey whilst 52% (2.9 million) of the children were working in the last 12 months. Children aged 14 to 17 years are more likely to be working (68.5%) than their counterparts aged 5 to 9 years. Both female and male children have sim ilar patterns of involvement in economic activities (49.6% for males vs. 46.6% for females) Involvement in economic activities is higher in rural areas compared to urban settings (49.7 % vs.38.3% 87% were involved in household tasks 72% of children aged 5 to 17 worked in the Agriculture sector, 23% in domestic work and 3% in wholesale and retail in dustry. In urban areas, less than half (46%) of the children aged 5 to 17 years work in agri culture, forestry and fishing industry, 11% are in wholesale and retail trade, 39% are in domestic work at their household or an other household and 4% work in other in dustries. In rural areas, 75% of the children aged 5 to 17 work in agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, 2% in wholesale and retail industry, 21% in domestic work with the rest in other industries. Out of the working children, 8% were no longer in school and 5% have never at tended school. 3% of the non-working children were no longer in school whilst 10% have never attended school. More females among the working chil dren were no longer in school than males (9%:7%)

8 8 HIV/AIDS Undestanding mainstreaming in HIV/AIDS fight In the field of HIV/AIDS, there are a number of terms that are used interchangeably and those that appear the same but have different connotations. This column would like to tackle terms like HIV/AIDS mainstreaming, AIDS work and integration in order to underscore the real meaning of mainstreaming in HIV/AIDS fight. To begin with, AIDS work is purely actions leading to reducing or eradicating the spread of the HIV. In this respect an organisation or a state may engage in all or one of such actions as prevention technics, care and support, treatment, research, and strengthening health systems. At the same time, integration in HIV/AIDS circles is the coordination of related efforts in the health system. This implies that integration in this regard is the coordination of sexual and reproductive health services, HIV prevention, treatment, and care; cancer screening and treatment; maternal health care; and family planning services. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at the 2011 Commission on the Status of Women said "We must take AIDS out of isolation and provide young girls with opportunities to negotiate their sexual relationships and receive sexuality education so that they can protect themselves from infection... If we don't do this, our vision of zero new infections will remain a TAMA s philosophy on HIV/AIDS TAMA believes that a responsible approach to HIV/AIDS involves maintaining and protecting the interests of the Association and the health and welfare needs of both employees and grower members, and the community in which we operate. The protection of employees, the company s benefits and the clients is TAMA s primary objective. Therefore, TAMA will strive to achieve a balance between the compelling needs of infected and sick employees and grower members and the legitimate needs of the organization. Whilst the company aims at supporting the physical and emotional well being of employees, this should not cause and disrupt or impact negatively. TAMA believes that an essential element in fighting HIV/AIDS is knowledge on which medical self- management can be based. It is important to note that ignorance of a serious medical condition is a dangerous approach and ignoring symptoms precludes early and accurate diagnosis and therefore prompt and appropriate care. The company will therefore, endeavor to explore ways of providing HIV prevention, education, care and support to employees and clients who are both dream." affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. TAMA acknowledges the seriousness of HIV/AIDS infection and AIDS and the impact that these will have on the company as well as on the broader community where the clients come from. For this reason, TAMA has included specific guidelines in this regard. The Association has a policy that provides a framework and reassure staff (families inclusive) and clients that HIV/AIDS is not spread through casual contact during normal work practices. The Compiled by Sam Kalimba But mainstreaming in HIV/AIDS fight simply means to carry out the core business and functions of an organisation whilst tackling issues of HIV/AIDS such as testing and civic awareness at work places. This then calls for farmers as employers to ensure that they allow their employees to get messages on HIV/AIDS or receive treatment and testing right at the farms while the workers are doing their job. It does not necessarily call for complete turn of events and programs or functions but rather only working alongside the availability of preventive messages, provision of care and support, treatment and abstinence messages. policy protects the rights of Councilors, employees and grower members who are diagnosed with HIV and AIDS and provides guidelines on how to manage HIV/AIDS in the workplace.the policy encourages managers, and supervisors to convey sensitivity and understanding to infected and affected employees and clients and to treat them in a compassionate and non- discriminatory way. Employees will therefore be employed, promoted, transferred, remunerated etc based on the principle that they are "fit to work".