Communities in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Chauma in Dedza District have expressed excitement over a newly constructed Agricultural Development and Marketing Cooperation (ADMARC) structure at Khwakhwa area saying they will now be able to sale and buy farm inputs at a short distance.
In an interview Friday, one of the women, Loyce Kakhobwe, revealed that due to distance, some women were forced to indulge in immoral behavior because of desperation to easily access farm inputs or maize at Kaphuka ADMARC located over 40 kilometres from their area.
Kakhobwe said: “Some communities have had their commodities snatched by robbers due to long distance. On top of that, because we had no reliable markets, we have had our crops sold to illegal vendors and at lower prices. We are sure the new ADMARC will address these challenges.”
Another woman, Logesiana Numelo from Kasina was excited for the structure.
She commended government as well as Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Joshua Malango, for the development.
“This structure will go a long way in serving us women from the jaws of the evil one. It took us three days to go to Kaphuka ADMARC and back. We have witnessed some women going to Kaphuka pregnant but coming back with babies. This is the reality of life we have passed through,” she stated.
According to Numelo, they grow crops such as groundnuts, maize, soya beans and other crops which they have failed to sell at recommended government prices but hoped for the better with the new ADMARC.
Group Village Headman (GVH) Khwakhwa said the ADMARC will empower local farmers realize meaningful profits from their farms.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank our legislator, Joshua Malango, for accepting to facilitate construction of this building using Constituency Development Fund (CDF). He is the first legislator to accept our call to have an ADMARC depot nearby,” he said.
Chief Public Works Officer for Dedza District Council, Emma Makutu, said the structure is expected to carter for over 1,000 50 kilogram bags of maize or fertilizer.
Makutu said Kauma communities used to go to far distant depots of Linthipe, Kaphuka or Mayani to buy or sell their crops.
She pleaded with the communities to care for the structure which they have been longing for a long time.
The new structure has been constructed under CDF to the tune of K48 million.
