By Munthu Wakuda
CHIKWAWA-(MaraviPost)-The campaign promise by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-United Democratic Front (UDF) Alliance runningmate, Atupele Muluzi in which he told cotton farmers in Chikwawa district to immediately bring the cash crop to the Admarc as money used for buying was readily available has plunged dozens of farmers into a stranded situation, as nobody is coming in to buy their commodity, nearly two weeks after they adhered to the young Muluzi’s call.
Farmers we visited at Ngabu Admarc Market have openly expressed their anger and disappointment, as they believe authorities are taking them for granted after they joyfully responded to the authoritative call by President Peter Mutharika’s official partner in the forthcoming Presidential polls.
As we arrived at the Admarc depot, a crowd of hungry, tired and irate looking farmers complained that since they brought their cotton bales, there was nothing tangible the local marketing officer could tell them hence refered them to Admarc Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Felix Jumbe who similarly couldn’t tell them anything tangible upon reaching him through his mobile phone.
“There is no-one around telling us anything concrete not even the top most boss Jumbe whom we have called several times is telling anything convincing,” said Chamanga Valeta Chairperson of the farmers.
Another farmer, Edina Khambadza complained that previously, Admarc has been buying from them on credit hence selling at low unprofitable price of K369 per Kilogram after deducting K20, a mandatory fee for the Cotton Council.
“We spend a lot on labour, seedlings and other inputs and at no profit we desperately keep on selling our cotton so that we can get something to buy food and support our families,” said Khambadza.
The middle aged female farmer further said sometimes she sells her cotton to fellow farmers at as low as MK200 per Kg as she gets desperately in need to support orphaned children she lives with.
When contacted, Admarc CEO Felix Jumbe said he was out of office in Karonga and would therefore give feedback once in office.
During a whistle stop tour to the Shire Valley some two weeks ago, Atupele Muluzi told cotton farmers (who were not selling after harvesting for non-availability of funds) at a public rally to bring their commodity to Admarc as funds were now available.
Muluzi who is also President of UDF told farmers to bring their cotton in response to a complaint by a local traditional leader that government was not buying their cotton, a cash crop on which they depend on for their survival.
