LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Vice President Jane Ansah has emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring citizens’ rights are fully enjoyed, citing initiatives like free secondary education and the Fertiliser and Inputs Subsidy Programme (FISP).
Speaking at BOMFA Cooperative in Traditional Authority Mphomwa, Kasungu District, Ansah said, “Our leadership is working tirelessly and strategically to ensure that the people’s rights enshrined in the constitution are fully enjoyed.
The introduction of free secondary education is meant to actualise the right to education, while FISP and the increase of Constituency Development Fund are meant to achieve the right to food and right to development.”
The VP was touring the farmers group’s activities, showcasing their value-added products like cooking oil.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far,” said Beatrice Mbewe, a farmer at BOMFA Cooperative, adding that ,”With support from the government, we are able to produce more and improve our livelihoods.”
Deputy Minister of Industrialisation, Trade, Business and Tourism, Edgar Tembo, praised the cooperative’s import substitution efforts.
“Venturing into value addition, such as cooking oil making, is a step towards import substitution that can help preserve forex,” Tembo said.
The cooperative’s chairperson, Joseph Phiri, highlighted the challenges they face, including limited access to markets.
“We appeal to the government to help us access markets for our products, so we can improve our incomes and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” Phiri said.
Dr. Ansah assured the farmers of the government’s support, saying, “We will continue to work with cooperatives like yours to promote economic empowerment and improve livelihoods.”
The VP’s visit highlights the government’s focus on promoting economic empowerment and improving livelihoods.
The cooperative’s ventures aim to enhance food security and create employment opportunities.
The BOMFA Cooperative has 500 members, with 70% women, and produces over 10,000 litres of cooking oil per month.
The cooperative plans to expand its operations to include other value-added products, such as soap and cosmetics.
The government’s initiatives, such as FISP and the Constituency Development Fund, have been instrumental in supporting cooperatives like BOMFA, enabling them to improve their production and income.
