Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has hired marketer Daniel Makata as its new chief executive officer (CEO) in a move board chairperson Zachary Kasomekera says is part of turning around the bedridden parastatal.

In an interview yesterday, Kasomekera said Makata’s appointment is one of the key steps towards ensuring a revamped Admarc.

He said Makata has the experience and track record that the board was looking for, including his vast experience in the corporate world.

Said Kasomekera: “He brings to Admarc a unique combination of commercial strategy, business innovation, managerial leadership, operations management, financial management and strategic planning, which are skills required to achieve the results of the new Admarc.”

New broom at Admarc: Makata

Makata holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Business Administration and is also a member of the Institute of Marketers in Malawi.

Among other positions, he has previously served as deputy CEO for Select Financial Services, group head of operation and administration at Electrocard Systems, head of mobile and digital business at Finca Malawi, chief commercial officer for TNM Malawi plc and operations manager at Press Properties Limited. He also served as board chairperson for Kokoliko Holdings Limited, a multi-disciplinary business empire established by some youths linked to the Malawi Congress Party.

Besides the new CEO, Kasomekera said Admarc has also hired Fodreck Nyongani as its new operations manager.

He said interviews for director of finance and director of corporate affairs will be conducted this week with the expectation that the positions will be filled in two weeks time.

In a separate interview, Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture chairperson Sameer Suleman welcomed the appointment of Makata, saying it is a step in the right direction and that the committee is confident that he will turn Admarc around.

However, he called on Makata to ensure that there is no political influence in the operations of Admarc. He emphasized that Makata needs to be bold, saying heading Admarc is not an easy task.

“Our advice is that he must do his job. He should not tolerate politics in Admarc. He should aim to leave a good legacy. He should aim to serve Malawians. We know he is capable of helping Admarc turn around and, as committee on Agriculture, we will support him,” said Suleman.

Makata did not pick up his phone when called for comment.

In September 2022, Ministry of Agriculture announced the closure of Admarc and sent all 3 122 employees on paid leave to pave the way for redefining the institution’s functions.

And in January this year, Admarc retrenched all staff.

Admarc has been struggling financially and has over the years failed to serve Malawians as per its mandate as produce stabiliser, ready market for farmers and a social function of the government’s food security apparatus.

Until 1987, Admarc was the sole buyer of smallholder produce, but in 2004, it was incorporated as a limited liability company with government owning 99 percent of the shares.

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