Farmers Union of Malawi has urged President Lazarus Chakwera and state institutions such as the Competitions and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) to act on revelations that there is a cartel of top officials from government and private sector that is frustrating operations of the grain trader.

The revelations were made by ADMARC general manager Rhino Chiphiko.

A statement signed by FUM president Frighton Njolomole, reminded the Tonse alliance on its promise to reform ADMARC functions so that it becomes more farmer-centric and support commercialization of the country’s agriculture sector.

In the statement, FUM acknowledged the critical role of ADMARC towards the attainment of the agriculture transformation and commercialisation drive as envisioned in the first pillar of Malawi 2063 agenda.

Farmers Union also expressed displeasure with reports that officials from the ministry of trade are supporting this so called cartel by issuing certificates to briefcase cooperatives at the expense of legitimate farmer cooperatives .

FUM said it has a strong conviction that the continued sidelining of the deserving farmers through the operation of this cartel is frustrating governments efforts in developing agriculture and condemning farmers into poverty and in doing so trapping farmers into the habit of depending on subsidies.