ZCC, ZDC and MUST Collaborate to Support Cooperatives

• 04,Apr 2025
• Posted By : Aubrey Mthyola
• 0 Comments

As part of aligning with the Malawi Vision 2063’s pillar two, Zomba City Council and Zomba District Council have partnered with the University of Science and Technology (MUST) to support local cooperatives in industrializing their products.

 

The Director of MUST Institute of Industrial Research, Professor David Mkhwambisi highlighted during a meeting held at the Civic Offices yesterday, that the university has developed a programme called Zomba Food Compact.

The Zomba Food Compact Programme aims at enhancing productivity, sustainability and, innovation of cooperatives in Zomba City and District.

 

The Deputy Mayor for Zomba City, Councillor Anthony Gonani said both the city and district council welcomes the model initiated by Zomba Food Compact Programme saying it will enable processing and sale of raw materials like tomatoes and mangoes which were wasted.

 

The District Commissioner for Zomba District Reingard Chavula commended the model and emphasized the relevance of testing innovative ideas in our universities for the benefit of the people.

The proposed model promotes a relationship between council’s, universities and communities to effectively add value to the locally available raw materials for sustainability.

 

One of the representatives of cooperatives, Bonwell Kaunga of Mwandama Cooperatives Union in Zomba said that the initiative will assist cooperatives to adopt a new direction as they will be involved in production of finished products.

 

Zomba City Council and Zomba District Council have pledged to support MUST as it engages with stakeholders on the matter.