Farmers across Malawi are set for a major shift in how they handle payments at ADMARC markets, following a new move aimed at addressing long-standing risks linked to cash transactions.
The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has entered into a partnership with Airtel Money Malawi that will allow farmers and customers to buy and sell agricultural produce using mobile money.
The agreement was launched in Blantyre, where ADMARC Chief Executive Officer Ben Botolo said the system is designed to modernize payments, improve efficiency, and protect farmers from long-standing challenges linked to cash handling.
Botolo said the move will eliminate delays where farmers were previously told to return later due to cash shortages, while also reducing opportunities for misuse of funds by intermediaries.
He said farmers will now receive payments directly into their Airtel Money wallets, allowing them to leave markets without carrying physical cash, a change he described as safer and more reliable.
“In the past, ADMARC was caught up in situations where officers would abuse money or farmers would be told there is no cash,” Botolo said. “This time it will be online transactions.”
Airtel Money Head of Partnership Acquisition, Khumbo Phiri, said the system will allow ADMARC shops across the country to collect payments digitally, with money moving instantly from customer wallets to ADMARC accounts.
Phiri said the initiative will reduce the risks and costs associated with handling cash, especially in rural trading centres where security challenges are common.
He added that the partnership is expected to expand financial inclusion, bringing more rural farmers into the digital financial system for the first time.
“This means people will not need to move around with lots of cash,” Phiri said. “Even those in rural areas will be able to load money into their wallets and pay safely and instantly.”
The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has entered into a partnership with Airtel Money Malawi that will allow farmers and customers to buy and sell agricultural produce using mobile money.
The agreement was launched in Blantyre, where ADMARC Chief Executive Officer Ben Botolo said the system is designed to modernize payments, improve efficiency, and protect farmers from long-standing challenges linked to cash handling.
Botolo said the move will eliminate delays where farmers were previously told to return later due to cash shortages, while also reducing opportunities for misuse of funds by intermediaries.
He said farmers will now receive payments directly into their Airtel Money wallets, allowing them to leave markets without carrying physical cash, a change he described as safer and more reliable.
“In the past, ADMARC was caught up in situations where officers would abuse money or farmers would be told there is no cash,” Botolo said. “This time it will be online transactions.”
Airtel Money Head of Partnership Acquisition, Khumbo Phiri, said the system will allow ADMARC shops across the country to collect payments digitally, with money moving instantly from customer wallets to ADMARC accounts.
Phiri said the initiative will reduce the risks and costs associated with handling cash, especially in rural trading centres where security challenges are common.
He added that the partnership is expected to expand financial inclusion, bringing more rural farmers into the digital financial system for the first time.
“This means people will not need to move around with lots of cash,” Phiri said. “Even those in rural areas will be able to load money into their wallets and pay safely and instantly.”
