Govt asked to open markets in villages

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

                   Namakhwa (in hat) handing over an iron sheet

People in Thyolo say rural markets could play a crucial role in the socioeconomic development of rural masses.

They have since asked government to open mini markets in rural areas to reduce distances people in search of market for their agricultural produce.

Speaking at Mikate Primary School on Monday, Group Village Headman Mikate, said small scale farmers are finding many challenges to find markets for their agricultural produce because there are no markets near in the rural areas.

Apparently, Member of Parliament for Thyolo Central, Kingsley Namakhwa, was handing over 48 iron sheets for the construction of Mikate Rural Market with fund from Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“With rural markets, local farmers will kill two birds with a stone. They’ll no longer travel long distances to sell their produce thereby completely cutting costs on transportation to the markets,” said Mikate, who is under T/A Kapichi.

He added that that well-structured markets in the rural areas could also help local farmers to take farming as business.

“We are, therefore, asking government and its development partners to open more markets in the rural areas,” he said.

In his remarks, Namakhwa explained that government had deliberately introduced CDF in order to respond to the needs of the people at the grassroots.

“CDF was introduced to deal with simple development projects such as construction of mini markets in the rural areas. All you need to do is to come up with your development plans for the area and present them for consideration,” he advised.

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