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Informal rice markets, smuggling irk minister

Minister of Industry and Trade Joseph Mwanamvekha has bemoaned informal rice markets that see vendors smuggling rice to other countries. The minister said the trade is depriving the country of the much-needed foreign exchange and also exploits local farmers.

Mwanamvekha, speaking on Tuesday when he toured Wovwe Rice Scheme in Karonga, said Malawi’s rice is on high demand on formal markets in other countries and what is needed is for farmers to meet standards.

Farmers are encouraged to adopt new farming methods

He said if farmers come up with well-processed products that meet requirements, the country will be able to export rice and generate forex. He said farmers will also benefit through better prices.

Mwanamvekha said London University has already written government, asking for the supply of 10 000 tonnes of rice annually.

He said the request is a big opportunity for Malawi and farmers, stressing that farmers just have to ensure reliable supply and quality of the commodity.

“I was shocked when I went to Zambia to see that our rice was getting to the country, but through unchartered routes. Farmers sell the rice to vendors at lower prices.

“The country also loses out on forex as the rice goes through unchartered routes,” said Mwanamvekha, urging farmers to form cooperatives so that they can produce more and meet the demand.

He said cooperatives help farmers to have bargaining power, which curbs exploitation.

To help meet international standards, Mwanamvekha said he will engage the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) to sensitise farmers, adding that once they meet standards and get certified, exports will no longer be a problem.

“We don’t want to compromise on standards. Malawi Bureau of Standards is under my ministry, so I will engage them to sensitise farmers on standards. MBS should not be seen as a barrier but a body that will help in achieving standards,” said Mwanamvekha.

He said government will ensure that Admarc is empowered to compete favourably on the market, arguing that currently, there are a number of private players who offer higher prices than those set by government.

Japanese Ambassador Shuichiro Nishioka said Malawi rice has potential to make it on the international market, stressing that farmers need to meet standards and ensure that there is reliable supply by embarking on bi-annual cropping.

Wovwe Rice Cooperative Society Limited manager Joseph Mulungu said the cooperative is eyeing the export market, but the challenge is that their products are not certified by MBS.

 

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