Mchinji Smallholder Farmers’ Association
Mchinji Smallholder Farmers’ Association was formed in March, 2000 and its core crop is groundnuts. The Association has 412 clubs, and 24 Market Action Centers. Although the Association was only formed recently, membership is very high with a total of 7,986, 2,518 of which are females. One of the very active and dedicated members of Mchinji Smallholder Farmers’ Association is Mrs. Margaret Matimba who is enjoying the benefits of being an Association member, as explained in this interview conducted by ACDI/VOCA.
ACDI/VOCA: What crops do you grow?
MM: I am a very ambitious smallholder farmer. I grow groundnuts, maize, beans, bananas and pumpkins. I do this so that in times of rainfall shortage or pest and disease attacks on some crops, there is a good chance to harvest another crop. This also increases my chances of having adequate food for my family throughout the whole year.
ACDI/VOCA: When and why did you start growing groundnuts?
MM: It all dates back to 1973. You see, when you live in a village you have to find an activity that will keep you going from time to time and that can earn you cash for survival.
ACDI/VOCA: What are the varieties of groundnuts that you have been growing since 1973?
MM: There have been different varieties that have been promoted to us by the Ministry of Agriculture. As a result I ended up growing almost all the varieties that came across my area.
However, the main ones have been our local variety called Kalisere and Chalimbana. I also grow CG7. I value groundnuts, because they are a specialty crop and they do not require a lot, particularly in regards to input and labor. If you have land, some seeds and some energy – you are done. Living in a village with low incomes, I felt this was right crop for me. My cash crop generates income for my family, and I also use it as a food crop.
ACDI/VOCA: What are the problems that you were facing before you joined the Association in terms of production and marketing of groundnuts?
MM: We were facing many problems especially in the field of marketing such as a lack of reliable markets, low market prices, unscrupulous buyers, and a lack of technical expertise in the field of marketing.
ACDI/VOCA: Now that you are a member of the Mchinji Smallholder Farmers’ Association, has the Association helped to bring any change?
MM: There are many changes that have taken place since the Association came into existence. Farmers now have a voice and big organizations now respect our concerns. During the 1999/2000 marketing season, the Association identified competitive markets for us and identified better scales to use when selling the groundnuts. Our groundnuts were bought at MK32/kg through the Association. This would not have happened if the Association was not here due to intense competition in the market. On top of that, the Association gave rebates to all members who sold their groundnuts through the Association.
The Association also offers different training programs to groundnut farmers including collective marketing. This is one of the direct benefits that I have enjoyed as an Association member.
ACDI/VOCA: What are some of the challenges being faced as an Association member?
MM: The biggest challenge that we are facing as an Association member is the issue of how to better cooperate with other organizations that help smallholder farmers in the area.
ACDI/VOCA: Are there any challenges to your farming?
MM: Everything can not be perfect and as smooth as we would like it to be. We always have disturbances in the villages like funerals. This reduces the time we have for working in the fields. The danger is that by the time you have free time to go back into the fields, favorable environmental conditions will have changed. This results in a poor harvest for that particular year.
ACDI/VOCA: What are your future plans?
MM: I would like to increase my groundnut production area, and hence increase my sales turnover so that in a few years’ time, God willing, my husband and I can buy a pick-up to help us with transportation.
ACDI/VOCA: What is your advice to other smallholder farmers?
MM: I am urging all those who have not yet joined the Association to do so, for they are missing out on a lot. As for my fellow members, I encourage them to continue building the Mchinji Association, for it has so many services for us.
Work hard in the fields, plant your crops with the first rains, and also engage in crop diversification. Maintain the superior quality of your groundnuts so that they fetch high prices on the markets.
Written by: Mary Msusa, NASFAM PPU Assistant