Several farming cooperatives operating under the Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship Programme (TRADE) on Thursday secured business deals at the ongoing National Agriculture Fair in Blantyre.
Cooperatives, including those involved in beekeeping, have clinched deals totaling K592 million with companies such as Kwithu Kitchen.
Langa Cooperative from Ntchisi, which specialises in groundnut farming, has secured a K60 million deal with Food Kings. According to Austin Kanyerere of the cooperative, the agreement will encourage them to work extra hard and maximise gains from their contract.
Arthur Ngwende, a commodity specialist from TRADE expressed excitement over the agreements, saying they are looking forward to facilitating more deals as the fair continues.
TRADE Programme is a government initiative that is helping farmers gain more from their ventures by enhancing value addition and market linkages.
By Geoffrey Chinawa
