Farmers in Traditional Authority Mphomwa in Kasungu District have expressed excitement with the construction of a warehouse in the area, saying it will promote agriculture commercialisation.
Government is constructing the warehouse under the Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (Trade) programme’s infrastructure development component.
In an interview, Makungwa Cooperative member Mathias Mnyayi said the warehouse will improve storage of agricultural produce.
He said: “Without a warehouse, it is difficult to properly aggregate our produce and keep it for some time until when prices improve. So, we are forced to sell the produce immediately we harvest.
“In that case, we make losses because there is no time to look for better markets. Additionally, by keeping the produce at someone’s house, the risk of having it stolen is high.”
Mnyayi said the warehouse will also help members bargain for good prices and maximise revenue to generate capital for a cooking oil refinery.
“Our vision is to invest in a cooking refinery so the warehouse project is a big boost for us as it will largely contribute towards achieving this vision,” he said.
Kasungu District Planning and Implementation Support Team lead person Brino Kamanga commended community members for the cooperation which he said helped them to earn the project.
He said: “As a council, we are impressed with how this community has driven its agenda up to this level that it has earned itself a modern warehouse which will ensure that farmers properly aggregate their produce.
“So, there will be no pressure to sell their produce, but they will keep it until such a time when prices improve or when they locate a good market.”
Trade is a six-year programme running with funding from the International Fund for Agriculture Development and Opec Fund for International Development
