NGO block vendors from cashing on farmers in Dowa

Churches Action in Relief and Development (CARD) value chain Officer Dyton Siyeni has assured that his organization will commit itself to see to it that farmers are benefiting from the sale of their crops.

This follows farmers outcry in the farming districts of Kasungu, Mchinji, Dowa, Lilongwe, Salima that vendors use scales that are not certified by the Malawi Bureau of Standards as required by the laws of Malawi.

Speaking in Dowa in the area of Traditional Authority Msakambewa, when his organization was briefing traditional leaders, farmers clubs and cooperatives on the availability of new markets for their crops, Siyeni said farmers need protection from exploitations.

“Farming is a difficult job so it is very sad that there vendors who are reaping off the farmers. This is unacceptable,” said Siyeni.

Siyeni said his organization has brought Sunseed Oil Company to provide lasting solution in as far as marketing hiccups are concerned.

People of Dowa have been victims of poor marketing in following the incapacitation of Agriculture Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) which is currently operating on half scale.

Currently people in Dowa are commending CARD for outsourcing good markets for the 2014-2015 growing season.

General Manager of Sunseed Company manufacturers of Mulawe Cooking Oil, Manoj Kumar Vats said his company n through CARD has entered into official contract where it will buy all the produce in the area.

Vats was shocked to hear that vendors buy Soya beans at K40 per Kilogram saying “Are you sure? I pay those (Vendors) K200 per Kg.”

CARD is a humanitarian organization operating in six districts of Dowa, Mchinji, Chiladzulu, Nsanje, Thyolo and Mulanje and it has its headquarters in Blantyre. The organization started in 1995 and has 19 member churches. Its main objective is to empower rural community socially and economically.

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