This section provides information on FAQs regarding the Komaza-Farmer partnership.
What is the Length of my contract?
The contract lasts for 15 years. If trees are harvested before 15 years, the contract will continue and Komaza will help the farmer manage the coppices. Komaza will pay the farmer for any trees and coppices removed from the farmer’s land during the entire contract.
Can a farmer choose to end the contract early?
If the farmer chooses to end the contract early, he/she will pay an exit fee to Komaza that includes the farmgate value of the trees, loss in future value of the trees, investment in the trees, interest, and administrative costs. If the farmer does not pay the exit fee, the contract will continue.
What is the farmer's role in the partnership?
The farmer will provide land, labor, and security for Komaza’s trees.
What is Komaza's role in the partnership?
Komaza will provide the farmer with high-quality seedlings.
Komaza will train the farmer.
Komaza will pay the farmer for any trees Komaza removes from the shamba.
Why has Komaza taken long to harvest at the originally-communicated period?
The growth rate of the trees will always determine harvesting time. Komaza will determine the best time for harvesting based on how fast the trees are growing on each farm or in each area. This could range between 12 to 15 years.
Who owns the trees between the farmer and Komaza?
The farmer owns the land, or the farmer has permission from the owner to occupy the land. Komaza will never claim ownership of the land.
Komaza owns the trees. This includes coppices.
The price of trees?
Komaza will pay you 50% of the fair farmgate value of the tree.
The farmgate price is the value of the tree purchased directly from the shamba. This price does not include harvest and transport costs or retail markup.
Why doesn't Komaza involve farmers in setting the price?
Komaza conducts extensive market research so as to offer the best possible value for the trees depending on the sizes and market rate at that point in time. Komaza has the best interest both for the farmer and the company to ensure that the partnership is mutually beneficial and sustainable.
Who should I report in the even of a tree theft?
In the event of a theft incident the farmer should report to his/her area Komaza officer. At the same time the area village elder/chief should be notified to help with investigation.
What will happen if a farmer cut his own trees?
A farmer cutting his own trees without permission from Komaza will constitute a breach of contract. Legal action may be taken against the farmer if it is proven that the farmer breached the contract.
Can I and my neighbor buy the trees?
The contract states that Komaza will look for a good market for the trees so its not the responsibility of the farmer to look for market. However, you and your neighbor can buy the tree products from the Komaza yard near Kilifi town.
Why is there a difference between the estimate given during evaluation Communication and the actual income after harvesting?
The Evaluation Compensation form has estimates of what will be harvested and the income based on the previous farm visit done by the “Markers”. Estimates by Markers are important to help with the transportation planning but it may change upwards, downwards or remain the same. The actual measurements done by the Harvest team informs the actual farmer incomes. Where a difference occurs, this could be as a result of different measuring tools by Markers and Harvest Team, dried trees whose size reduces as they dry or tree growth due to time lapse between marking and harvesting.
Where does a farmer go when there is a disagreement with Komaza?
If there is a disagreement between the farmer and Komaza, the following will take place:
The farmer and Komaza will attempt to find a mutual agreement.
If an agreement isn’t reached then a local government representative will mediate to find a solution.
If a local representative cannot or will not mediate, an independent mediator will be appointed.