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Mwanza farmers withdraw pigeon peas from the market

 

Poor prices of pigeon peas this year have forced farmers in Mwanza to withdraw about 15 000 metric tonnes of the crop from the market.

Speaking on Wednesday  during an Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) organised post harvest handling-losses demonstration in group village head (GVH) Mkulira in Senior Chief Nthache in the district, farmers said the current minimum price of K250 per kilogramme is unfair.

One of the farmers, Alfred Maganga, said vendors cannot buy pigeon peas in the district unless they offer better prices.

Mwanza farmers applying pesticides to pigeon peas
Mwanza farmers applying pesticides to pigeon peas

He said: “The current price is an insult considering that we spend a lot to produce the crop. The nation should know we have pigeon peas in abundance and buyers will have it only if they offer improved prices,” said Maganga.

He said farmers in the district want a minimum price of K400 per kilogramme.

Mkulira added that buyers are assured of high quality crop.

“It is three months since we withdrew from the market and with expertise from EAM, our crop is safe,” he said.

EAM project officer Amos Bandawe said low demand has affected the crop’s minimum price.

He said farmers in the district thereby sell pigeon peas in groups thereby helping buyers save on transportation costs.

EAM has 86 marketing groups under Mwanza Pigeon Peas Market Development Project implemented with financial support from Department for International Development (DfID) through Christian Aid. n

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