Malawi: AHL to Open Kabwafu and Mgodi Markets

Source from:  Malawi News Agency  03/27/2014

Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) on Monday announced its plans to open Kabwafu markets in Mzimba and Mgodi in Mangochi to reduce costs farmers incurr when transporting their tobacco to major markets.

Dr.Jerry Jana, Chairman of Auction Holdings Board of Directors said his organisation has embarked on a number of projects and among which included additional construction of selling floors being in the phase two of Chinkhoma market in Kasungu.

Dr.Jana said apart from reducing the cost of transport, the new markets will enable farmers to access the market at any of their given time.

"Following the assessment AHL carried, we believe that this projects will skyrocket the number of farmers," he explained.

Last year within a period of six month, AHL managed to sell a total of 169 million kilograms of all types of tobacco realizing about US$362 million from the sales.

According to Dr. Jana, investments in tobacco marketing infrastructure were bearing fruits as witnessed by the benefits enjoyed by many farmers, merchants as well as the whole nation.

Apart from the selling points, Dr. Jana described the launch of AHL commodities exchange another milestone. He said the commodity exchange facility had attracted the attention of the local as well as international buyers.

"I would like urge Malawians to make use of our strategic investments," Dr. Jana appealed.

Village Headman Kakungu of Traditional Authority Njewa commended AHL for the initiatives which he said will enable farmers sell their tobacco on time.

"I think there won't be struggle as some farmers will sell their tobacco in the new markets," the village headman said.

Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) Chairman Crown Prince Mbelwa (V) acknowledged the need to improve on production and sell of tobacco. Mbelwa described tobacco as the biggest country's foreign exchange earner contributing about 15 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Enditem