National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme) has described the model farms that have been producing red sorghum under contract for Chibuku Products Limited as a positive business opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi.

Nasme National Chairperson William Mwale made the remarks following a tour of some model farms in Traditional Authority Zulu in Mchinji which are farming the crop on Tuesday 23 February.

Mwale told YFM that he is impressed with the progress so far since it has been not more than four months since the crop was being championed but the business prospective looks promising.

He said it is saddening that for a long time farming red sorghum has not been encouraged as a cash crop and yet there is a market.

“Authorities from the ministry of agriculture have also conceded that sorghum has not necessarily been promoted as a cash crop,” said Mwale.

He further said going forward he hopes more SMEs will venture into the business because it is a readily available market which is Chibuku Products.

Mwale said: “It is a crop that has shown that it will be a cash crop and since people have shown interest I hope more farmers will join in.”