Machinga ADD warns unscrupulous vendors

Machinga Agriculture Development Division ADD has said will confiscate scales of vendors who are buying farm produce without licence.

This has been said by Machinga ADD program manager, Isaac Chipeta during a two-day agricultural fair at gymkhana ground in Zomba.

Chipeta said confiscating scales is one way of protecting farmers from vendors who are buying farm products below recommended prices.

“I have already directed all Agricultural offices in the ADD to form committees which should be regulating prices in their markets,’ revealed Chipeta.

In his remarks Zomba district agricultural development officer, Patterson Kandoje, said they thought of organising the agricultural fair to facilitate interaction between farmers and buyers.

“My office is delighted to see farmers coming with processed products, which is in line with their goal of taking agriculture as business,” Kandoje said.

However, he cited that bumper yields which farmers have realized this year have contributed to low prices.

Speaking on behalf of organizations that participated at the event Lettons Mkandawire who is NASFAM’s business manager pleaded with farmers to bring well graded commodities.

“I plead with authorities to equip farmers with new technologies, so that they can be doing their agricultural activities that do not promote climate change,” appealed Mkandawire.

The agricultural fair was conducted under the theme: harnessing agribusiness for sustainable community economic growth.