Having worked on overcoming various challenges in the past 2 years, the legumes sector looks positive as the Legumes Development Trust (LDT) says it anticipates better prices for legume crops this year as the majority of farmers have already signed up to sell to readily identified markets.

The trust’s manager Sangwani Makoko confirmed that the trust has already signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with buyers, for specific tonnage. In the 2019/2020 National Budget, government allocated K1.8 billion for improved legume production, but the LDT has called for more investments in the legume sector to improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

However, the amount has been helpful in making strides in the legume sector; LDT is celebrating having signed MOUs with Sunseed Oil Limited who are looking for 100 000 metric tonnes of legumes, Export Development Fund who are looking for groundnuts and common beans as well as Tradelines Corporation Limited through Farmers Commodity Market.