Small Growers Dissatisfied with CGA

10^th August, 2010

The Editor

The Belize Times Newspaper

3 Queen Street

Belize City

Dear Sir,

At the recent Citrus Growers Association (CGA) General meeting, the auditor painted a terrible picture of CGA finances that seemed rife with mismanagement and misuse of funds.

One classic example is the revolving fund that that has been made available to small growers at a preferential interest rate of 5% annually. This fund was developed over many years mainly by contributions from the larger and medium sized growers who agreed that it was to be utilized solely by small growers. According to the auditor, about $800,000 of this revolving fund has now been used up, presumably over the past year, to cover the operating expenses of the CGA. As a result, small growers are now being told that there is no money available for them to cover the basic necessities they need for inputs for their farms.

We see plenty of office staff with big salaries and fancy vehicles but no equipment to help small growers. We want our 5% money. Where is it? The Committee of Management must answer to this now.

According to the audit report, it also seems that the CGA is heavily in debt and it is not clear what is the state of the other loan facilities such as the European development Bank (EIB) Loan or the Social Security loan funds since small farmers cannot get any concrete information from the CGA.

We understand that maybe they have even used Social Security money to cover some of their operating expenses. How will this be repaid when called upon to do so? Are we going to be held responsible if this is so or will the Committee be liable.

Sincerely

Higinio Chiac

Mario Sho

Clemente Tush

Daniel Bolon

Antonio Bolon

Emelindo Saqui

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