Farmers urged to form cooperatives
Nkhata Bay District director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Beatrice Mbakaya has urged farmers in the district to form cooperatives to benefit from their farming.
She said this on Friday during a field day at Limphasa Extension Planning Area.
Mbakaya said cooperatives have the capacity to buy farm inputs at low prices as they are bought in bulk and have easy access to markets.
“Such benefits can improve farmers’ lives and the country’s nutrition status because all food groups will be available in markets,” she said.
Nkhata Bay district commissioner Rogers Newa echoed Mbakaya’s sentiments, saying forming cooperatives will turn the district into a food basket.
Nkondezi Cooperative chairperson Brenda Mlenga said members have benefitted from the cooperative.
She said the cooperative has 400 members who work hard to improve their livelihoods and contribute towards the district’s food security.
“The cooperatives makes profit of around K20 million every year,” said Mlenga.
The field day was held under the theme ‘Promotion of Good Agriculture Practice, Key to Sustainable Food, Income and Nutrition Security at Household Level’ with funding from Kulima Project, Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Sustain Africa, Livingstonia Synod Aids Programme, Mkondezi Research Station, Food and Agriculture Organisation and and Ripple Africa.
