Government has assured people that mega farm initiative will boost economy on top of helping to address food insecurity problem in the country.
Leader of the House in Parliament Richard Chimwendo Banda said Malawi is expecting to export over 4, 000 metric tonnes of beans from mega farms.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Banda said while adding to food sufficient in the country, some agricultural produce will be exported which will also contribute to earn forex.
“Mega farm initiative has contributed with 8, 000 metric tonnes of maize to our food reserves and another 8, 000 metric tonnes are expected to be contributed soon,” said Banda.
He said farmers in Malawi have interest to an extent that over 1, 400 farmers have been enrolled across the country.
“Government is providing resources for the implementation of mega farms and is in process of establishing special office for mega farms through department of human resources which has given Parliament to do so”, he said
During the official opening of the Mega Farms initiative for the private sector at the Mega Farms Support Unit in Kanengo, Lilongwe, and President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera said the Private Sector Mega Farms Programme plays a very crucial role in revamping Malawi’s agricultural sector.
In his address, President Chakwera said induction of the Private Sector Mega Farms Programme will significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth by 2063.
Chakwera also emphasized the necessity of supporting subsistence farmers in transitioning to agricultural mechanization to enhance crop productivity.
Meanwhile, government has already distributed tractors across all Agricultural Development Divisions (ADD) to assist in enhancement of mega farm initiative.
