By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, April 22, Mana: Treasurer General for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), John Paul has pleaded with smallholder farmers in Mchinji District to take control of their farm produce prices when they are dealing with vendors.

Paul, who is also an aspiring parliamentarian candidate for Mchinji Central Constituency, made the plea in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, saying the farmers should realise that the farm produce is what makes them farmers.

“It is my plea to the them that they are farmers because of their farm produce. Therefore, they should have the liberty to dictate what to do with the produce and have control over prices when they are dealing with vendors,” Paul said.

The MCP treasurer general reminded the farmers that if they sell their produce to unscrupulous vendors at a low price, they should expect to get the produce at a higher price later.

“If they get robbed now, they will buy the produce at a higher price later, so they better be more careful when deciding to sell,” he said.

Paul called on traditional and community leaders not to allow the unscrupulous vendors to rip off the farmers under their respective jurisdictions.

In a separate interview, Senior Chief Dambe of Mchinji said his office has engaged community policing members to work hand in hand with village heads and relevant stakeholders in guarding against the malpractice.

“We are vigilant in fighting against the unscrupulous vendors. I have ordered all village heads in my area to work closely with community policing members and Mchinji District Council Officials to not allow uncertified weighing scales and lower prices than the gazetted ones and nyone found will face the consequences,” Dambe said.

The Chief also commended the government under the leadership of President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for being considerate to farmers by ensuring that farm produce is fetching good prices on the market.