Mchinji cooperatives earn Japan recognition
Kamwendo Cooking Oil Cooperative Society Limited in Mchinji has done Malawi proud by scooping the Japanese Hiramatsu One Village One Product (Ovop) Promotion Award.
The official award presentation ceremony for the award took place at Kamwendo on Wednesday and was graced by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) Resident Representative in Malawi, Katsuro Saito, and Minister of Industry and Trade Sosten Gwengwe, among others.
The award is a recognition that is conferred to organisations that have excelled in promoting principles of Ovop movement as advocated by Dr. Morihiko Hiramatsu, former governor of Oita prefecture in Japan who first launched Ovop movement in 1979.
The award was competed nationwide and is a recognition of achievements made by different countries globally that have embraced Ovop concept.
Gwengwe said Kamwendo Cooking Oil Cooperative Society Limited had out-classed other Ovop cooperatives plying their trade in the country and that the recognition is as a result of the constant effort of the cooperative in improving the quality cooking oil production, among others.
“The award was not given on a silver platter; it had to be competed for. Other cooperatives, therefore, should take it as a challenge to be the next winner,” said the minister.
Gwengwe commended the cooperative for standing out among the Ovop cooperatives and putting Malawi on the map through its value adding activities.
He, however, warned the winning cooperative against being complacent, but to remain focused and aim higher “as they say there is always room for improvement.”
Gwengwe assured that government, through his ministry, would also continue to assist in product development through the establishment of institutional linkages.
Added Gwengwe: “To me, this presentation is testimony of what any ordinary Malawian can achieve if one puts their mind to it. The award should not be looked at in monetary value but rather the thought behind it.”
Ovop national coordinator Kamia Kaluma Silumba pledged that Ovop will strive to assist groups to produce value-added goods and services.
Deputy chairperson for the cooperative, Zelifa Banda, said the group was overwhelmed by the award and vowed to penetrate the retail and wholesale stores with their sun-flower made cooking oil once the Malawi Bureau Standards (MBS) certifies their product.
She said the cooperative is earning an average of K60 000 (about $160) per day through its cooking oil sales and K100 000 (about $294) during peak period.
Following the award, the Mchinji cooperative received a cheque worth K350 000 (about $1 029).
