Healthcare workers during their previous strike
In a bold move to reshape the agricultural landscape, farmers in the country are proposing a 40 percent stake in the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).
Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) president Maness Nkhata believes that this strategy will not only empower farmers, but also enable Admarc to secure funds for vital improvements, thereby easing the financial burden on the government.
Nkhata said this yesterday during an interface meeting FUM between members and President Lazarus Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
The meeting was aimed at giving the farmers an opportunity to present areas that they feel should be unclogged to enable the country to swiftly attain the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 blueprint through the first pillar of agriculture productivity and commercialisation.
Said Nkhata: “This step aims to integrate farmers directly into the company’s operations. Most of the buyers of our farm produce continuously exploit our farmers by offering them lower prices; hence, our farmers have been subjected to very unfair trading practices.”
She also emphasised the need for the government to establish financing mechanisms that align with agricultural practices, including making National Economic Empowerment Fund loans more accessible to farmers.
Nkhata also advocated for the timely distribution of farm supplies through the Affordable Inputs Programme, suggesting a start in July or August.
In his remarks, President Chakwera acknowledged the on-going agricultural transformation in the country and stressed the importance of safeguarding crop yields to ensure national food security.
He also pledged his government’s support to ensure that the recommendations made are followed through.
Said Chakwera: “You want to be shareholders of Admarc, you are the people who put me in this position and I will make sure that I deliver.”
Some of the requests FUM made to the President during the meeting include having a Farmers’ Day to enable farmers to come together and celebrate, network, share new innovations and interact with government and other service providers as well as discuss issues that affect them.
