Malawi, Korea sealK525.3m agro-deal

Malawi has signed an agriculture trade deal with the Republic of Korea which will see the two countries promoting the production, processing and export of Malawian rice.

Speaking in an interview yesterday from Seoul, South Korea, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, who is in the Malawi delegation to the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit, said the deal aims at ensuring food security and enable rice farmers reap better prices.

He said: “The discussions focused on finding ways that would help farmers have access to affordable financing, affordable fertiliser and seed products.

“We also looked at companies from the Republic of Korea bringing equipment which Malawian farmers can access such as tractors and irrigation equipment, value addition companies but also building the capacity of our local farmers.”

Kawale signed on behalf of Malawi while Korea Minister of Agriculture Song Miryung did the same for her country.

The minister also thanked Republic of Korea for donating farm machinery, including tractors, implements and crop dryers.

“The equipment is worth $300 000 [about K525.3 million] and is on its way to Malawi. I have since asked the minister to come to Malawi and look for opportunities that the country presents, with the hope that this will incentivise companies in that country,” he said.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), there is low production and productivity of rice in Malawi, due to several factors including use of inferior seed varieties, recycled seeds as well as low mechanisation.

It says on its website that estimated current production of rice under rain fed is 1.2 metric tons per hectares (ha) against a potential of four metric tons per ha.

Speaking on Tuesday during the opening of the summit, Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who is representing President Lazarus Chakwera and leading the delegation, described the meeting as crucial to unlocking the capacity of African countries, including Malawi through mutual cooperation.