Working with Cafédirect:
Electronic weighing system for green leaf at Igara Tea Factory
When tea is collected and weighed manually, there is a higher potential for errors or under-weighing. With Igara’s new system, farmers have their tea weighed electronically on an “Easyweigh” scale and receive a print out of the weight for their records. The scale downloads all the information automatically from the scale to the computer back at the factory. This has eliminated entry duplication and reduced administrative error from manual entries.
This project is being rolled out on the factory’s 12 collection routes. To date, two of the routes have implemented the new system and have seen great improvements already.
Through our Producer Partnership Programme, Cafédirect is working with Igara growers to train them in the use of this system, and to see how it will benefit them. In the long term this new system will allow the organisation to be more efficient. In the short-time meanwhile the farmer gains from the fair and just payment guaranteed by the new system.
In addition to this project, we are currently working with Igara members to:
- Access sales from new markets
- Implement a HACCP Programme and auditing for BRC food standards
- Ensure there is greater understanding of Fairtrade among the grower members
- Implement tailor made training programmes