The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Food Security has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Agriculture to iron out differences affecting cane growers in Chikwawa District.

Speaking during a roundtable discussion with the Committee in Lilongwe, one of the cane growers at Kasithula Cane Growers Limited Oliver Kanjunjunju said rising cases of corruption are negatively affecting the farmers.

According to Kanjunjunju, lack of transparency and accountability among the farmers are major contributing factors that are fuelling high levels of corrupt practices.

He said: “This corruption is being facilitated by lack of transparency of both association, Kasinthula Cane Growers Limited and Shire Valley Cane Growers Trust whereby they are conniving to swindle the proceeds which could have go to the farmers.”

On his part, an employee of the Shire Valley Cane Growers Trust Charles Chavi admitted that cane growers are indeed experiencing the said challenges.

“I should admit that farmers have some issues and concerns but as a Trust our role is to be a voice of the farmers and also one of our key roles is to present interest of the farmers,” Chavi said.

Whilst acknowledging the existence of challenge, Controller of Agriculture Services Alexander Bulilani said the Ministry noted administrative inefficiencies among the farmers and that the matter will be resolved.

He said: “As a Ministry our role is very clear on the sugar groups, we are there to make sure that there is corporate governance and that governance happens through a Board, we will try and we have seen the calls of the Committee that they need to come together.”