Roses need lots of water to thrive and are very prone to diseases, which is why many conventional farms use large amounts of dangerous pesticides. This is why Fairtrade certification specifies that sustainable ways of farming are used on Fairtrade certified flower farms to grow flowers in the most efficient and safest way.The farm has a water treatment facility to purify polluted water. The water towers have been specially built to prevent contamination of water. Where possible the workers use organic pest control to keep pesticides to a minimum e.g. a predatory mite is used to control red mites which destroy roses. Twelve hectares of the farm is now farmed organically.Protective measures for workersRavine also has a clinic for employees. Thanks to the Fairtrade premium workers are offered free voluntary HIV/AIDS tests and counselling on HIV/AIDS. Vaccinations for children as well as advice and on family planning and contraception are also available.
More Fairtrade Premium projectsSome of the Fairtrade premium has been invested in building a grocery store. This means all the workers are able to buy basic food, and they can also pay in instalments. The premium was also invested in making improvements to workers’ houses including putting on tin rooves and solar panels. Premium money was also invested in bicycles, televisions, gas stoves and sewing machines.Education is a favourite use for the premium. Two new classrooms and a playground were built in a local school. A training school received funds for equipping its chemistry and physics labs. There’s also an interest-free credit system to make training courses available to all workers and their children.