President Peter Mutharika says the mega farms initiative was riddled with corruption and favouritism, which derailed the flagship agricultural programme introduced by his predecessor Lazarus Chakwera.
The President made the remarks yesterday at Sanjika Palace during the swearing-in of Second Vice-President Enoch Chihana, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Fatch Mbilizi and Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism George Partridge.
Mutharika said there are disparities in the amount of resources allocated to the mega farms and the maize harvested; hence, the need for reforms.
“I think it is a good concept, but there was too much favouritism and too much corruption in the programme so we need to fix this,” he said.
Malawi Agriculture and Industrial Investment Corporation (Maiic), the co-administrator of the mega farms project, said last week that the initiative owes suppliers K33 billion incurred over the past two years.
Maiic acting chief executive officer Lloyd Banda, in a written response, said since its inception in the 2023/24 season, the mega farms initiative has received K22.2 billion comprising K20 billion in the first year and K2.4 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
He also disclosed that from the projected 88 000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize set to be delivered under the initiative, only 5 470MT have been accounted for.
In his speech, Mutharika said the country must start to fully utilise its minerals which he said have capacity to generate $500 million (about K875 billion) a year, enough to establish a sovereign fund.
On this, he directed that no minerals should leave this country in raw form, warning that anyone defying the order will be arrested.
Turning to the new ministers, Mutharika said their role is to help build the country, adding that he will be requiring monthly reports from them
On the appointment of Chihana, he said the move is aimed at adding more personnel in the presidency while ensuring representation of the Northern Region.
Speaking in an interview, Mbilizi said her ministry will revamp the mega farms initiative and ensure that farm inputs under the Affordable Inputs Programme are available as early as possible.
She said: “But we will make changes in terms of distribution of the inputs because over the past five years that has not been done well.”
On his part, Partridge said addressing economic challenges requires creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Taking his turn, Chihana assured Malawians that the Mutharika administration will deliver on its promises, including ensuring food security for citizens.
During the indoor swearing-in ceremony conducted in front of about 160 invited guests, Chihana, flanked by his wife Tadala Chihana, was the first to take his oath of office administered by Deputy Chief Justice Lovemore Chikopa.
He becomes the second person to hold the position, after his father Chakufwa Chihana who served in the Bakili Muluzi administration
Mbilizi and Partridge took both oath of office and oath of allegiance, administered by Chief Registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal Innocent Nebi.
People in attendance included Democratic Progressive Party secretary general Peter Mukhito, Alliance for Democracy secretary general Linda Limbe and former Mzimba North legislator Yeremiah Chihana.
Paramount Chief Kyungu, Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V and Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe also attended
