Rice is one of the most common products in Malawi. Rice is the second staple food of the country. OVOP is supporting the production of good quality and well packed rice. The rice is tasty and aromatic.

Our Main Products

Group Information

[Support from OVOP/JICA]
A rice mill by JICA
[Support from Other Organizations]
Farmers Income Diversification Program (FIDIP-EU) supported dry slabs and a sealing machine. The Government provided a store house.
[Contribution by members]
Membership enrolment fee: MK200; Water fee 1,600 / ha / year
[Support by District Assembly]
Irrigation scheme manager works closely with the Association, monitoring farming and suggesting solutions to farmers troubles.
[Background]
The water scheme was constructed in 1968, and all the assets were transferred to the association. The Association plans to register the rice milling activity as a cooperative because (1) rice milling is a profit making activity, and (2) all the profits go to the shareholders (cooperative members). According to the association, trustees is a not-for-profit organization and the surplus cannot be shared among members, but goes to trustees (when the trustees is dissolved, all the assets must be transferred to a new trust).

Strength and Opportunities

[Human Resources]
The trustees of the Association are not members (receiving only sitting allowance), maintaining neutrality in the control of the Association.
[Materials]
Since the Association does not allow its members to sell paddy rice to vendors other than OVOP without consent of the Association, there is a sufficient amount of paddy rice for milling.
[Product]
The rice of the Association is quite popular; it sold most quickly among rice from all areas at the international trade fair.
[Production]
The mill’s maximum capacity to process rice is 2 tons per day.
[Market]
The sales of rice to OVOP in June 2008 were MK160,000.
[Distribution]
The Association is located relatively in a good location in terms of transport: MK15,000/ton to Lilongwe by SIKU truck.
[MBS]
The Association applied MBS, who instructed, without any charges, the Association about the items to be improved. The Association is making efforts to improve hygienic condition, maintaining the cleanliness of the workplace.

Challenges

[Materials]
Since the Association's purchasing ability in cash is limited (current saving is MK376,000), the Association allows members to sell paddy rice only to Ademac.
[Waste]
Husks are simply damped.
[Distribution]
The Association does not have direct marketing channels, but is dependent only on OVOP and trade fairs.
[MBS]
The factory is not equipped with toilet facilities, and does not have uniforms for workers.