Malawi set to double groundnut production
Stakeholders in the groundnut value chain have laid out an ambitious plan to raise groundnutproduction levels in the country from 500 000 tonnes to one million tonnes per year in the short to medium-term.
This was disclosed on Thursday in Lilongwe at the inaugural three-day Malawi Groundnut Tour.
Speaking at the event, United States charge d’affaires Amy Diaz, whose government has invested about $40 million to develop the local agriculture value chains through the Growth Poles programme, challenged authorities and partners to raise production to one million tonnes within the next 60 years.
He also called for greater investment in value addition to increase opportunities for Malawi to spur economic growth and improve nutrition in the country.
Speaking separately, Republic of Ireland Ambassador Seamus O’Grady, a key financing partner in the groundnut value chain, urged local authorities to empower local farmers by providing them with access to low-cost financing, technology and access to reliable markets.
On his part, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale said the government has already taken some steps such as the Megafarms Support Unit to facilitate large-scale and mechanised farming.
“This is why it is important for the private sector to come in and invest in agro-processing,” he said.
The three-day event, held from 16-18 April was organised by Pyxus and its partners Palladium, Feed the Future Programme, Peanut Innovation Lab and USAid.
