By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 10, Mana: Salima Sugar Company Limited Tuesday revealed that it has recruited 2,500 seasonal workers to necessitate smooth operation when it commences production of sugar on April, 16,2024, after closing in November 2023.

The development was revealed at Salima Sugar Company premises during the official handover of a small-scale farm to Salima Sugar Company as an operator and the signing of a management agreement between the company and Lingadzi Cooperative in Salima district.

Greenbelt Authority Board Chairperson, Wester Kosamu said at the moment the company has been undergoing reformatory processes after termination of its contract with Aum Sugar Co. Ltd.

"We want this company to benefit Malawians unlike in the past, we are changing how business was run, to produce a commodity that will be available across the country and should be well known on the market," he said.

Kosamu said they have issued distributorship licenses to eligible business people to start distribution of the commodity soon after production commences.

He said in the past there was widespread concerns about availability of sugar produced in Salima on the market therefore they have taken strategic steps to ensure that once production commences the commodity would be available across the country.

"Distributorship contracts are a key strategy aimed at ensuring that the country has a sufficient supply of sugar and effectively addressing the ongoing sugar crisis," the Chairperson said.

He added: "We anticipate more than 200 small-scale sugarcane farmers under Lingadzi Cooperative to get more profits from their farming activities based on the fact that they will now have the opportunity to negotiate the sale prices of their sugarcane with the company."

Senior Chief Khombedza said prioritizing local communities would assist in bringing sanity in his area and instill a spirit of ownership in surrounding communities not to destroy the farm or encroach the land.

"There was growing tension between surrounding communities because they were not benefitting as anticipated from the company therefore they were becoming violent at times, the farmers lacked the chance to negotiate sugarcane prices as a result getting prices below their expectation," he disclosed.

Lingadzi Cooperative Chairperson, Yohane Msalira said members of the cooperative could now look forward to better negotiated prices for their sugarcane, leading to improved financial prospects and livelihoods.

With a landholding of around 500 hectares, Lingadzi Cooperative aims to make a significant contribution to Salima Sugar Company's production activities.