Collective marketing raises K40m

Smallholder farmers in Mzimba and Kasungu have raised about K40 million (about $100 000) after selling their crops in the last growing season through a system of selling crops in groups called collective marketing.

Collective marketing is a system under the Market Access for Enhancing Income for Rural Communities (Mae-RC) project that the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) from the Diocese of Mzuzu is implementing in the two districts.

Mae-RC project manager Gift Chiwaula Luwe said the farmers have been grouped into 10 associations as a way of increasing their bargaining powers when selling crops.

“We noticed that vendors tend to exploit farmers when they sell their crops as individuals. The project wants the farmers to collect their produce together, keep and sell them when prices are favourable.

“This works to their advantage because structured markets are willing to buy the crops in bulks at reasonable prices. This will ultimately eliminate middlemen who make profits over farmers,” said Luwe.

The associations brought together 683.1 metric tonnes of soya beans, 104.5 metric tonnes of maize and 2.77 metric tonnes of sunflower.

The project targets five extension planning areas (EPAs) in Mzmba and Kasungu where it specifically seeks to strengthen capacity of small producers to better engage with high value markets, improve quality and minimise post-harvest losses.

Mae-RC is being implemented with funding from Agra Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.