The Minister of Agriculture, Lobin Lowe, has promised small scale farmers that the ministry is working on creating structured markets for agriculture commodities.

The promise raises hope in farmers, as the Legumes Development Trust (LDT) said that the Covid-19 travel restrictions have affected export markets, therefore markets of the commodity are lacking. Besides the pandemic, Lowe outlined that vendors exploit farmers by buying commodities at very low prices, so profitable markets must be established.

2 months ago, the Grain Traders Association of Malawi (Gtam) said some vendors are buying agricultural commodities at lower than the government-set minimum prices. The findings are from a survey conducted by Gtam president, Grace Mijiga Mhango. The findings came one month after the (former) Minister of Agriculture, Francis Kasaila, announced gate prices for agro products, on which he sternly warned against overpricing, but Mhango said there is a lack of proper enforcement procedures by the government.