Malawi’s Macadamia production projected to rise

Gala Farms chief executive officer Christo Bothma has said Malawi is rising steadily in macadamia production on the global market, describing it as a promising forex earner.

This was disclosed when the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs toured one of Gala farms and factory situated in Namitete,Lilongwe on Friday.

“Currently Malawi is on number seven globally in terms of macadamia production and with smallholder farmers now entering the field, we may become the world’s largest producer soon,” said Bothma.

This is a venture of Old Mutual Investment Group, whose Managing director Mark Mikwamba said the idea was hatched as a sustainable corporate social responsibility.

“We used to make donations in communities but after a thought, we discovered that we could make more impact by giving the community members jobs that’s why we opened these farms,” he said.

Currently, Gala farms has 1 300 permanent employees and employs over 500 seasonal employees during harvesting and processing period.

Chairperson of the social and community affaires Savel Kafwafwa commended the Old Mutual and Gala farms management for the idea saying it is improving people’s welfare in communities around the farms.