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Supporting farmers’ efforts in agriculture can boost the country’s economy which is highly dependent on agriculture, a British American Tobacco (BAT) official has said.
BAT human resources and corporate affairs manager Alfred Machelo said this yesterday when he presented 10 bicycles to Blantyre Agricultural Development Division for further presentation to farmers during an agricultural show at Lirangwe on August 6 .
“Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy and farmers, therefore, need encouragement because they support the agro-based industry,” he said, adding that the bicycles will ease their transportation problems like transporting produce and buying of inputs.
Blantyre district agricultural development officer Patterson Kandoje thanked BAT for the donation and asked other companies to emulate the example set by the company.
“There are other areas in which companies can assist such as soil conservation. This can be done through funding of activities aimed at boosting soil fertility,” he said.
Kandoje said the bicycles will be awarded to farmers who will present the best produce during the show. He said the winners will be select by a panel of judges which will be looking for the best produce.
Blantyre Rural Development Project crops officer Spencer Ng’oma said the show will create an avenue for interaction between the farmers and agro processors since the project has invited several companies to the show.
“This is a way of creating markets for farmers’ produce besides encouraging the farmers to produce good quality crops which can fetch better prices on the market,” he said.
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