Coffee sector gets US$350,000 boost

Various coffee production committees in the country are expected to boost their production following United States African Development Foundation (Usadf) interest to support the cooperatives with US$350, 000.

Usadf is implementing several projects in Malawi among them enabling growth in coffee production.

Usadf president, Shari Berenbach made the remarks when she visited coffee fields in Ntchisi under Ntchisi East coffee growers’ cooperative and society limited which has received a grant worth $100 for capacity building.

She said that her organisation is determined to develop coffee production in the country so that people grow and sustain their standards of living.

“Our assistance comes in two phases of $100 for capacity building and $250 for the expansion phase so that people grow and sustain the coffee business and consequently increase the amount of returns even after the project wraps up,” said Berenbach.

She commended the efforts of the people in the area, particularly Mzuzu Coffee Planters Cooperative Union.

“Our financial contribution is small compared to yours; you prepare the fields, plant, harvest, process and send to the market which is by no means an achievement. Mzuzu coffee developed the same way under this grant so utilise it through savings and investment,” said Berenbach.

The cooperative chairperson, Mponda Jere commended Usadf for the support but asked the organisation to consider helping them with bigger processing machines to aid them in expanding their output levels which he said is at 500kgs/day.