Greenbelt, Mpatsa venture into mega farms

Mpatsa Holdings Limited (MHL) and the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) on Thursday signed an agreement that will see the two entities working together in irrigation farming and livestock production.

In an interview on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement at MHL head office in Blantyre, GBA board chairperson Wester Kosamu said the development signifies the genesis of a long-term plan that will see Malawians benefiting from government’s investments.

He said: “From this agreement, a new company named Mpatsa Greenbelt Mega Farm Limited will be formed with government pumping in 40 percent while Mpatsa Holdings Limited will have 60 percent shareholding of the investment. This huge project will create many jobs for Malawians while eradicating hunger in the country”.

Oh his part, MHL chairperson Jimmy Korea-Mpatsa said the trust that government has given his company is a great motivation for them to deliver.

He said operations under the new company will primarily centre on producing to end hunger and earn forex for the country through exports of farm produce.

Mpatsa further said his company could not on its own get production that the Mpatsa Greenbelt Mega Farm Limited envisions.

“We are a great combination because while the GBA is bringing in a share into the capital of the company and their expertise in irrigation farming needed for this venture, on the other hand, we are experts in business and we expect to see this combination to do the rest for the benefit of Malawians,” he said.

Meanwhile, the partnership company is expected to start growing winter maize at the 700 hectares mega farm in Khonjeni in Thyolo this August.

The Mpatsa Greenbelt Mega Farm Limited is expected to champion production of high value crops at Khonjeni and cooking oil at Namadzi in Chiradzulu District.