PressCane fertiliser plant at 75% progress—official
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ressCane Limited, a subsidiary of Press Corporation plc, says progress of its fertiliser production project in Chikwawa District is at 75 percent.
The firm invested $10 million (about 17.5 billion) in a bio-fertiliser plant, which is expected to start producing 10 000 metric tonnes of fertiliser annually in 2025, according to PressCane Limited out-grower programme development manager Connex Chilambe.
He said: “We are at an advanced level because we were advised to conduct three season trial. We have done all the three and we are just waiting for the research to release the report on the efficacy of this product.
“So, we can say in terms of clearance of this product, we are almost at 75 percent.”
Chilambe said the factory is at commissioning stage as all construction works have been completed.
He said the firm is currently working with the Department of Agricultural Research Services to conduct trials, evaluate and come up with recommendations on how best the product can be used regarding the soil types.
The bio-fertiliser will be produced from ethanol wastes that are turned into organic fertilisers, a favourable stimulant in most African soils compared with inorganic fertilisers which do not add to the organic content of the soil.
Chilambe said inorganic fertlisers were giving an environmental hazard and concerns, but now the company has invested in a plant which will be using the same raw materials to come up with bio-fertiliser.
Agriculture development policy expert Tamani Nkhono-Mvula described the project as ideal for the country’s agro-based economy.
He said: “One of the biggest issues in the fertiliser sector in Malawi is the issue to do with logistics and timeliness of fertiliser to reach the country, taking into consideration that we are a landlocked country and affected by what is happening in the world.
“Currently much of our fertiliser comes from Russia and the Middle East. When you have alternative initiatives like these, this becomes good news and something we need to promote.”
In a separate interview, Civil Society Agriculture Network board chairperson Herbert Chagona said such fertiliser initiatives have to be prioritised because the country is struggling to import inorganic fertiliser due to foreign exchange challenges.
“Currently, international companies have expressed willingness to invest in a fertiliser plant which highlights the viability of fertiliser projects,” he said.
Malawi Government has been struggling to import fertiliser due to foreign exchange challenges and the rise in the price of the commodity on the global market.
