Nkhata Bay Council for fair produce prices

Nkhata Bay District agriculture office has warned people against buying and selling farm produce above or below government set prices.

According to a communiqué the agriculture office has issued, people involved in selling and buying farm produce should get authorisation from the council.

Reads the statement in part: “Everyone wanting to buy agricultural products has to get a licence from the agriculture office. Failure to do so will invite a punishment.”

In addition, the letter stipulates that buyers will be required to use scales approved by the Malawi Bureau of Standards.

In an interview, Nkhata Bay District director of agriculture and natural resources Beatrice Mbakaya confirmed the development.

She said they will use various ways to deal with unauthorised markets.

“The council will work with members of Parliament, councillors, chiefs, police and Malawi Bureau of Standards to enforce adherence,” said Mbakaya.

In a separate interview, group village head Vivya from Traditional Authority Kabunduli said the arrangement will help farmers to benefit from their agricultural commodities.

“We earn our living through farming; hence, poor prices will ruin us,” he said.

Vivya also said people are forced to sell their produce to unscrupulous traders because of lack of good markets.

“Buyers take advantage of us because our area is hard-to-reach. So, they come to us on their vehicles,” he said.

In the set farm gate prices, maize is pegged at K150 per kilogramme (kg) while polished rice is at K600 per kg and K250 per kg for unpolished rice.