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Oxfam, Eagles Relief Hail Smallholder Farmers

Beneficiaries in their vegetable garden Beneficiaries in their vegetable garden - pic by Chrispine Msiska

Smallholder farmers specialized in livestock and vegetable winter cropping like cabbages, onions, and tomatoes have appealed to government and other stakeholders to help negotiate good prices for their produce.

The farmers addressed Oxfam and Eagles Relief during an appreciation visit to some households under the Gender Responsive Ultra Poor Graduation project in Balaka which was aimed at hearing from the beneficiaries how the project is impacting their lives.

In Balaka, the project participants are social cash transfer beneficiaries and is in Traditional Authorities Kalembo, Nsamala, Amidu and Phalula.

The farmers have hinted on high labour of their produce both livestock and vegetables with poor returns.

However, speaking during an appreciation visit Oxfam Country Director Lingalireni Mihowa assured the farmers that, in her capacity she'll try to engage government, stakeholders, and the district council to reach out to secondary schools, and other well-meaning Malawians to consider good prices for the farmer's produce.

Mihowa said she is impressed that people are graduating from ultra-poverty.

In an interview Eagles Relief Executive Director Victor Mughogho said the use of watering canes is hurting many farmers and want to support them with solar power to upgrade to enhance productivity while scaling up by bringing a lot more people on board.

The project is implemented by a consortium of Oxfam and Eagles relief with funding from government of Malawi through Financial Access for Rural Markets and Smallholder Enterprises - (FARMSE) to enhance resilience and sustainably graduate rural households, including women and the youths from ultra-poverty in Balaka and Machinga districts.

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