Farmers under Mtimaumoza Cooperative in Mzimba operating under the Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) Programme have for so long faced challenges finding markets for their products.
Recent engagements at the 20th National Agriculture Fair (NAF) however marked a significant turning point for their ventures.
“Our main objective as a cooperative was to connect with companies and individuals to showcase our products.
“We participated in meetings with companies and individuals who have shown great interest and support for our products,” explains Bonnex Chunga, Chairperson for the Cooperative.
The National Agriculture Fair is an agriculture promotion event which provides a linkage platform for different stakeholders in the agricultural sector to share experiences and expertise on agricultural activities in order to promote linkages generated within the value chain.
Machinery, modern farming technologies, agro products and financial products were among numerous items on display at the three-day trade exhibition.
Chunga speaks highly of the exhibitions’ impact on his business, expressing optimism for the future, thanks to Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) for creating the opportunity.
“We established contacts with several local companies and individuals. The highlight for my participation was the K17 500 000 market which we have secured at this Fair. We have also had the opportunity to meet with Malawi Bureau Standards to keep us on track in terms of certification,” he remarks.
Meanwhile, Chunga eagerly anticipates further business linkages facilitated by MCCCI.
His experience mirrors that of 10 other Farmer Cooperatives, operating under the TRADE programme, which cumulatively clinched deals worth K916 500, 000 during the agriculture exhibition.
Cooperatives, including those involved in beekeeping, clinched deals with companies such as Kwithu Kitchen, Temwanani Enterprises, Linde Hotel, Local Buy, Agriculture Commodity Exchange, Fresh Foods, Tabitha Investments and Food kings.
Memory Moyo, a farmer under Pulala Extension Planning Area in Mzimba, also recounts getting numerous inquiries on their products and potential buyers.
“I attracted potential customers and partners who were impressed by the superior quality of our products. I have also created a database of prospects and expect to see improvements in my business soon.
“The exhibition proved beneficial for our company as we connected with numerous potential buyers one of which is Fair Way Enterprises which has expressed interest to be my off taker. I will be supplying them red beans,” she said.
For Palisha Ghambi of Synthesis Agriculture the trade fair has been beneficial for their agri-based company.
“Participating in the trade fair has helped us introduce various farming innovations to the market,” Ghambi said, reflecting on the positive impact of the event on their business.
One international Exhibitor, Ntando Ndhlovu, a Boer Goats breeder also described the Fair as essential having established markets in the country o rated.
“I came in on the last day of the Fair but have had prospective customers who have expressed lots of interest and are eager to learn about this farming and buy our goats.
“We have developed a database of prospects, and we intend to keep in touch with them. We definitely expect some improvement in this particular business segment in the days to come,” he explains.
For two decades, MCCCI has hosted National Agriculture Fairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to provide a forum for different stakeholders in the agricultural sector to share experiences and expertise on agricultural activities in order to promote linkages generated within the value chain.
Besides the exhibitions, MCCCI also lined up activities aimed at enabling participants to establish business partnerships and networks.
The activities included a networking dinner, business to business meetings, seminars where people businesses got new information on doing from information sessions.
MCCCI also hosted information session by the Trade Programme, Total Land Care, Central East African Railways, Agriculture Commercialization Project and Malawi Bureau of Standards among others.
This year, President Lazarus Chakwera and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi inaugurated the fair, which was held under the theme “Driving towards Export oriented Agriculture through Commercialistion and Innovation”
Nyusi committed to strengthen bilateral ties with Malawi so that it benefits in various sectors of the economy such as agriculture, industry, tourism, information and communication.
He said his country is already investing in energy infrastructure as evidenced by the implementation of the Malawi-Mozambique power interconnection deal and the Nacala Railway, to ease transportation of goods and services and enable Malawi to become a vibrant economy.
On his part, President Chakwera said his administration is working tirelessly to sign deals across the globe to secure off-taker markets for the farmers’ crop produce.
Weighing in, MCCCI President Wisely Phiri emphasized that boosting exports is crucial for achieving the Malawi 2063 vision highlighting increasing the country’s exports is irrefutably a fundamental aspect in achieving these aspirations.
This year’s National Agriculture Fair 184 pavilions were taken up by 86 companies. The Fair also attracted foreign participation from four countries namely South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Eswathini.
