Rice farmers have lamented lack of structured markets to be the main challenge affecting growth of the farming.

This comes as statistics show that the country has 500 thousand hectors of potential land but only 100 thousand of it is the one being cultivated for rice farming in the country.

According to Dr Andy Nyirenda one of the rice farmers from Karonga there is need to have structured markets so that the crop could help in generating more Forex like Tobacco.

Concurring with Nyirenda is Dr Ibrahim Benesi vice chairman for Rice Development Trust who added that there is also need for capacity building so that farmers are imparted with knowledge on rice farming.

Meanwhile Chief Executive Officer for African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) Driana Lwanda –  said low productivity of rice is due to under use of available schemes which is also due to lack of resources.