Exhibitors lament low fair patronage
Some agro-dealers who exhibited their products at this year’s agriculture fair have called for more awareness of the fair if exhibitors were to get maximum exposure from it.
This was expressed on Sunday, the final day of the fair which was opened by President Lazarus Chakwera on Friday.
According to an official from Usingini Coffee Martha Saka, they were alerted about the fair through the Buy Malawi secretariat.
Saka said despite a rise in the number of exhibitors, patronage was low.
National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (Nasfam) Communications Manager Vincent Hlema urged the organisers to improve on awareness.
“We would like to suggest that publicity of the fair should be promoted so that many people should come and witness what is happening and at the same time be able to buy what we are offering on the market,” he said.
The fair was organised to refresh links between agro-dealers and end users, provide education to those interested in agriculture and provide a market for agricultural products and innovations.
The fair was organised by the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) in conjunction with Farmers Union of Malawi and other organisations.
MCCCI President James Chimwaza, however, described the fair as a success, saying businesses were able to create links with potential customers.
Chimwaza said the situation on the ground does not reflect that the fair had a little awareness.
“We agree that the notice was short but one thing that we should not forget is to commend the effectiveness of the media because we saw that there was a lot of interest and it helped to reach as many people as possible,” Chimwaza said.
Justin Mkweu is a fast growing reporter who currently works with Times Group on the business desk.
He is however flexible as he also writes about current affairs and national issues.
