Goodbye local potatoes!

The vision to turn the country from a predominantly importing and consuming economy seems to be up in smoke as truckloads of potatoes from Tanzania are arriving through Songwe Border in Karonga and Ilomba in Chitipa. The imports puts into question the touted Buy Malawian Strategy. Spot checks at the two border posts confirm a rising passion for imported potatoes despite the ongoing campaign promoting local produce. Karonga district agricultural development officer Raphael Mkisi said widespread consumption of imported potatoes is a drain on foreign currency and a risk factor for crop infections in the region.—BISHOP WITMOS, MALAWI NEWS AGENCY.