THE NATION URGED TO INVEST IN COOPERATIVES

By Kenson McCloud

Agricultural stakeholders have stressed that the country must invest cooperatives in its commercialization drive. 

In an interview with Timveni, officials from the African Institute for Corporate Citizenship(AICC) say capacity building in technical and governance skills is instrumental in having thriving cooperatives. 

AICC Chief Executive Officer Dr Felix Lombe noted that most cooperatives are struggling due to limited impact brought by subsistence farmers.

Lombe underscored the importance of cooperatives in addressing challenge of access to competitive markets. 

During Tuesday's United Nations dialogue in Lilongwe marking the body’s 75th  anniversary, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Dr Winford Masanjala said Malawi needs to commercialise agriculture and add value chains in order to compete on the international market.