Mutharika intervenes on Pigeon Peas trade: Aim to protect Nandolo farmers
In a surprise move, President Arthur Peter Mutharika has stepped in to regulate trading for Pigeon Peas (Nandolo) by directing a farm gate price of K230 through the government’s grain trader, Admarc.
Secretary for Industry, Trade and Tourism Dr Ken Ndala said in a statement the Presidential directive aims to protect farmers from below the recommended price.
The measure comes into effect immediately.
“The government is urging general publc and all Nandolo farmers to sell at nearest Admarc Market depot and refrain from selling the crop to unscrupulous traders buying below the government’s recommended price,” said Ndala.
The PS said government is committed to continue supporting pigeon pea farmers to boost their income and general welfare.
“Government will also continue to support the growing of Nandolo to enhance the national diversification agenda,” he said.
Local subsistence farmers sell their pigeon peas to Asian traders in Limbe and Lilongwe who in turn export to South Africa and Tanzania where the legume is either re-traded with Europe and Asia for production of animal feed, spiced snacks and fertilizers.
Asian merchants are notorious for distorting the local market value of pigeon peas as they source it through intermediaries who buy from growers in bulk at a lower price.
This is the first time for the president to intervene on farm gate price of a grain commodity that is not essential to both food security and export revenue strengthening measures of government. India is the world’s major producer of the peas. Malawi’s major export commodity is tobacco, while maize is her staple grain.
Production and marketing of tobacco and maize have a huge impact on Malawi economy as they dictate inflation and foreign exchange flows to the land-locked country.
So this man will be copying and pasting what Chilima says at his rallies? He is very desperate for votes indeed. This decision has popped up after a UTM rally in Mulanje. Peter Mutharika is gripping with fear of losing the election hence his hasty decisions. Where was he all this time? Is he telling me that he doesn’t understand localized problems faced by farmers in respective districts? Munthu uyu ndimutchonadi eti? Please leave government in capable hands, Malawi needs transformation. We can’t be lagging behind poor countries like Rwanda with limited resources and war background. Malawi is a country… Read more »
SKC is really making people run for their money………. APM and his cronies are reacting to everything Chilima says or does kikikikikkiki!
And some asians who were buying nandolo from local farmers have started peas farming too,,,they must be bared from doing peas farming,,its a hijack
Don’t comment if you don’t know these things. Even in India where Malawi has been exporting pigeon peas for years, the Government buys the local pigeon peas at a minimum support price. In other words government buys the crop from the farmers in order to maintain their socioeconomic welfare. Ndiye palibe chachilendo apa. Bravo Government
A very good move my brother, keep it up
BOMA ILOOOOOOOO!!!!!!1
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Why only Nandolo, what about my groundnuts Mchinji,help us all Mr President
Any idea where Nandolo is mostly grown? Mulanje.
Amwenye traders are at the front of cheating Malawian nandolo growers. Great move APM. Sanity will prevail in the trade of this commodity.
Too late, people already sold there nandolo.. Were you all this time.