By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, June 20, Mana: Agriculture authorities in Rumphi District have urged farmers to work in groups so that they can increase agricultural produce and access better markets.

Agribusiness Officer for Rumphi District Council, Joseph Mkandawire made the call on Thursday at Rumphi Boma during a farmers’ conference, which was organized by Small Producers and Transporters Association (SPRODETA).

 The conference, which attracted farmers from Chitipa and Rumphi aimed at empowering farmers through knowledge sharing and partnerships through SPRODETA’s Integrated Resilience Project.

Mkandawire said working in groups would increase the farmers’ access to farm inputs and acquire better capital to mechanize farming in order to enhance productivity, besides gaining bargaining power for better prices of their produce.

One of the farmers, Mabvuto Mhango of Luwozga Cooperative, said working in groups such as cooperatives has benefited individual farmers.

“Our group has done so well. We grow maize, legumes such as beans and other crops. SRODETA has trained us in agribusiness and soap making.

“We also have a vibrant village savings group under our cooperative, and currently our savings are almost K15 million,” said Mhango.

Another farmer, Chimwemwe Nyirenda said that SPRODETA has enlightened the cooperative’s pricing of their farm produce.

Partnerships Coordinator for SPRODETA, Daniel Nyirenda said the project, among others, aims at linking farmers to reliable markets and improved access to farm inputs from financial lending institutions such as banks and National Economic Empowerment Fund, besides other related organizations.