Salima Sugar Company Limited has increased the volume of sugarcane ordered from smallholder farmers from 10, 000 metric tonnes to 30, 000 metric tonnes, and will offer competitive prices at that.

One of the company’s directors, Bruhat Betgiri told Nyasa Times that the company will be buying sugarcane from them at K27,000 per tonne. Earlier this year, sugarcane growers from Dwangwa and Nkhotakota demanded for an upward revision of the division of proceeds to enhance revenue payable to farmers, while calling on the  Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) to address claims of unfair trade practices. The increase in tonnes will benefit the farmers immensely as Betgiri also revealed that the  company is working with the Malawi Police Service on empowering communities in tightening security in Salima District.

 “On the long run, the company will construct primary and secondary schools, a hospital as well as staff houses f at the factory. These will be accessed for free by the communities,” he said.