The winters ended and spring has started. There has been an increase in the temperature
resulting in good growth this month.
There was no rain recorded for the month and generally the weather stayed dry and warm.

With the temperature rising there has been an increase in the crop for the month and the estate will do 10% of its annual crop in this month alone.

The main operation for the month was harvesting and fields were irrigated through the dry spell
(this will stop with the onset of rains in November). In the development area, tea bushes were
centered (tea bush training) at 45 cms to form the initial plucking table for the field planted in 2006 -07.

With the onset of dry weather fire control measures were taken to protect the crops from any bush fire damage. This is done by cleaning the peripheral area of the fields to a width of 10 meters and is burnt under supervision to form a barrier against the bush fire.

Workers who were on annual paid leave completed their holidays and resumed work at the beginning of the month.

Kawalazi Estate has contributed to the welfare of its employees and their families even with limited financial resources by providing a balanced diet for lunch including vegetables. The wives of the workers who do not work on the estate are contracted a piece of land (gardens) for the cultivation of seasonal vegetables The gardens are given on contract to the wives of the employees who grow seasonal vegetables and sell it to the estate at a fixed price giving them a source of income. The vegetables brought are cooked and supplied for lunch to the workers of the estate.

One of such garden is looked after by a group of 5 women :

• Mrs M.Chawinga
• Mrs M Kanyinji
• Mrs W Manda
• Mrs J Banda
• And Mrs C. Manda.

They have been cultivating all sorts of vegetables throughout the season (mostly greens) and supplying to the farm. Currently there is mustard growing in their garden. This is well enjoyed as relish along with Nsima (local dish made with maize flour on the estate).

The women in this group feel a sense of achievement and independence by taking up the entire responsibility of cultivating and growing, also strengthening their financial position at the same time.