For years, the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) was a go-to market for Malawians eager to buy farm inputs and sell their harvest at fair prices.
However, its shrinking presence forced farmers to deal with unscrupulous traders who offer low prices.
Now, farmers cannot wait for Admarc’s return to the market.
“Vendors prices barely cover our production costs. But with Admarc buying from us again, I feel reassured that my hard work will pay off,” says Blessings Robert, chairperson of the Jumabunguzi Cooperative in Salima.
The farmer was speaking during a meeting convened by Admarc and the World Food Programme.
Like Robert, Patuma Simba, from Kambiya Cooperative in Mangochi, has long relied on Admarc as a trusted partner.
She says farmers need a market that pays back.
“When we sell our maize to Admarc, they keep it for us so that we can buy it back during the lean period. We have missed this convenience for some time,” Simba says.
By purchasing grain at fair prices and selling it back affordably, the corporation helps stabilise food prices
“With Admarc, we no longer have to worry about where to sell our crops at a fair price. This gives us the confidence to grow more and invest in our farms as we will be assured of a steady market,” says Simba.
As Admarc re-asserts its presence, farmers can dream of better days.
“We can focus on farming knowing that our efforts will not go to waste and our livelihoods will be enhanced,” says Robert, urging Admarc to start buying grain soon after harvest to outsmart private traders.
The rural farmers ask Admarc to secure adequate resources to buy their produce.
For decades, farmers relied on the corporation for fair prices and a stable market.
However, it has been loss-making and falling apart for years, forcing government to downsize its workforce and restructure its operations as part of the business re-engineering plan.
As it strives to return to its lost glory, the firm has returned to the market to boost agricultural production, trading and value addition.
These focus areas align with the Malawi 2063 agenda for increased agricultural productivity, commercialisation and industrialisation.
“Admarc Limited is on a mission to reclaim its former glory and go beyond what people have come to expect from the company,” says its chief executive officer Daniel Makata.
He says the ultimate goal is to provide a dependable market for farm produce, stabilise commodity prices, stock quality but fairly priced agriculture inputs and add value to the agricultural products for local and export markets.”
“I want to reassure all farmers across the country that they have a reliable and stable market for their produce. We encourage them to bring their harvest to us,” says Makata.
To boost agricultural production, the company has grown 57 hectares of maize and 10 hectares of groundnuts in Mangochi and Salima.
“We plan to expand further in the coming year,” he states. “Our goal is to produce enough to last the entire year, in addition to what we purchase from farmers. We need to increase production and maximise sales to meet market demands and contribute to generating much-needed forex for the country.”
As part of value addition, the company is processing rice, groundnuts beans, and cotton to fetch higher prices both locally and on the world market.
The company has also embarked on maize flour production, starting this year.
“Our customers often purchase maize and then take it to maize mills for processing. Recognising the growing demand for maize flour over raw maize, we aim to meet this consumer need directly,” he says.
Makata envisages the reforms boosting Admarc’s business growth while empowering farmers and driving sustainable development.
Farmers buy maize at Admarc depot month after selling their harvest to the State-owned firm. | Nation
