People hail K104.7mfruit processing plant

Communities in Senior Chief Malemia in Nsanje District have commended Nsanje District Council for launching K104.7 million Chididi Fruit Processing Plant.

Speaking on Saturday during a meeting with Malemia and Chimombo area development committees organised by Malawi Justice Economic Network (Mejn), group village head Mpangira said the project will add value to their fruit farming.

He said for decades farmers have been wasting their fruits or selling them cheaply due to lack of a processing plant.

“Here we plant many fruits ranging from banana, sugar cane, tangerines, lemons, guavas, pawpaws, avocado pears and mangoes,” said Mpangira.

Malemia Area Development Committee chairperson Matthias Chilumba said they will monitor the project.

“We will ensure that the project, implemented by Governance to Enable Services Delivery Fund, runs from April 2023 to April 2024 as indicated by the council,” he said.

Nsanje district director of planning and development Smith Mnenula said the plant will help to add value to fruits produced in Chididi.

He said: “The project is part of the district’s reforms agenda to spur economic projects in the district.

“We will construct the building, toilets and install the fruit processing plant. The project will have primary beneficiaries of about 150 people.”

Mnenula also said the council plans to construct a meat factory in Bangula in the district to empower cattle farmers.

Mejn programme manager Christopher Mpeketula thanked the council for the initiative, saying it will uplift the economic status of communities in the district.

Mejn is implementing a five-year governance project with funding from the Swedish development partners. n