CICOD Urges Farmers to Embrace Cooperatives for Economic Transformation
Farmers in Malawi hopeful about cooperative model Lambulila for economic transformation aligned with CICOD's mission and national goals.
NTCHISI, Malawi— The Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD) emphasized the importance of farmers joining cooperatives for their economic transformation, according to remarks made by Amos Tizola, the Executive Director of the organization, writes Philord Magalasi.
Speaking during a handover ceremony on Monday, September 18, 2023, Tizola delivered a message of economic empowerment to farmers in Senior Chief Malenga's area in Ntchisi district.
At the event, CICOD presented a check of two million five hundred thousand kwacha to the Lambulila cooperative.
Tizola emphasized the cooperative model's potential to uplift farmers economically, saying, "Farmers in this country need to be part of cooperatives if they aspire to transform their lives economically."
He further emphasized the responsibility of cooperative members to repay the funds, adding, "It's important to understand that this money is a loan that must be repaid, ensuring that others can also benefit from it."
Gift Matiya, representing the Office of Agriculture in the district, pledged support for the farmers, stating, "Our office is committed to providing the necessary training to ensure that this money yields its intended results."
The chairperson of the Lambulila cooperative, Robert Simoko, expressed gratitude for CICOD's timely support.
He vowed to utilise the funds judiciously to improve the lives of cooperative members. "We will use this money meaningfully so that our lives can turn into prosperity," Simoko affirmed.
CICOD, which is implementing the project in two districts, Dowa and Ntchisi, aims to ensure food security and economic independence among farmers, aligning with Malawi's 2063 vision.
The project began in 2022 and is expected to conclude in 2025.
Farmers in Malawi are hopeful that cooperative models like Lambulila will bring about the economic transformation they desire, in line with CICOD's mission and the nation's long-term development goals.