AHCX and Land O’ Lakes in drive to develop fruits and vegetables market

AHL commodity exchange (AHCX) and Land O’ Lakes have signed a $17 million  deal in a drive to develop locally produced fruits and vegetables market.

Under the Strengthening Inclusive Markets for Agriculture (Msika) project, farmers in five districts of Lilongwe, Dedza, Mchinji, Ntcheu and Mangochi will be supported to produce and handle high quality fruits and vegetables for the local and international markets.

The project will support the productivity, value addition and marketing of fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, citrus, guava, potatoes, tomatoes, unions and chillies, with the aim of increasing potential for exports of processed products in the long run.

The five-year project, whose launch was presided over by Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Joseph Mwanamvekha was made on Wednesday.

AHCX board chairperson, Evans Matabwa, and Land O’ Lakes Malawi’s Country Director, Timothy Nzioka, signee the agreement whoss funding will come from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Nzioka said Land O’ Lakes will work with the exchange to find markets for the fruits and vegetables.

“Selling through AHCX will enable farmers benefit from competitive prices as well as access to up-to-date market information,” said Nzioka.

He said trading of the produce will be done through AHCX to provide farmers with a modern and transparent market platform for their produce.

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