Category: Agriculture

* This is a community founded initiative that is taking advantage of a small seed funding * To create more value in form of more productivity, more products, more livelihoods and a very ambitious business plan By Susan Hara, MANA The success story of ACADES — an agricultural producer organisation that received financial support from the Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) — has impressed a visiting World Bank delegation, led by Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde. AGCOM is funded by…

Normal winter season anticipated over Malawi

April 15, 2023

Observed dekadal and cumulative seasonal rainfall as percentage of normal for Malawi * Farmers are advised to continuously follow weather forecasts and advisories during the growing season * For proper planning and utilization of the weather and climate information and services in their various agricultural activities Maravi Express The Department of Climate Change & Meteorological Services has forecasted that normal winter season is anticipated over the country, saying the season is characterized by generally warm conditions with cold to…

Malawi receives 20,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer from Russia

March 7, 2023

* The initial fertilizer consignment from the Russian Federation is 30,000 metric tons * But 10,000 of it is held up due to sanctions the country is facing following the conflict with Ukraine * Minister of Agriculture Kawale apologised for the delay in the implementation of the AIP which people at the function lamented * Saying the unfortunate development was a result of the devaluation of the kwacha and increased global fertilizer prices By Rachel Gonani, MANA The Russian…

Reform on AIP to continue in 2023/2024 fiscal year following challenges faced in previous years—Finance Minister

March 3, 2023

* The various reforms are to enhance targeting, efficiency and mitigate all risks on the fiscus * K12 billion has been allocated for maize purchases by the National Food Reserve Agency and ADMARC to replenish the strategic grain reserves By Duncan Mlanjira Finance & Economic Affairs, Sosten Gwengwe told Parliament on Thursday during his National Budget policy statement that government will continue to reform the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) in the 2023/2024 fiscal year. He said “Learning from the…

CAMA likens the 10,000 metric tonnes rotten maize as equivalent to genocide

March 2, 2023

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* Consumers are currently paying one of the highest prices for maize on the market * Which is selling approximately at K35,000 to K40,000 per 50kg bag * These high prices of maize on the market are as a result of manmade scarcities of maize * While Government was holding onto lots of stocks of maize By Duncan Mlanjira Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito says they are shocked to hear that “Government has lost 10,000…

Malawi records above normal historical rainfall amounts for majority of southern areas in 10-day rainfall period of February

February 24, 2023

* Locally heavy rains experienced during the dekad with maize over southern areas maturing with central and northern tasseling to cobing * Wet conditions to persist over Malawi during the last decad of February 21-28 By Duncan Mlanjira In its 10-day weather and agrometeorological bulletin, the Department of Climate Change & Meteorological Services reports that during the period of February 11-20, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), oscillated over Malawi — “resulting in scattered rainfall activities which were heavy at…

CDH Investment Bank enhances MoU partnership with LUANAR though tree planting exercise

February 23, 2023

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* CDHIB is mindful of how our country has been adversely affected by floods and cyclones * That negatively impacted the economy through loss of energy, damage to properties and many other others * We are proud to contribute to the national tree planting season through this partnership with LUANAR By Alfred Chauwa The first activity under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) — that CDH Investment Bank (CDHIB) signed earlier this year with Lilongwe University of Agriculture & Natural…

Minister of Trade tasked to deploy a rapid strategy that tracks illicit exportation of Malawi’s produce

February 19, 2023

* Government to continue in establishing a digital platform for marking and tracking all commodities traded in our economy * In March last year, I spoke about the need to support the local industry by encouraging the local buying of materials for Government officers such as police uniforms * Yet, just last week, uniforms for police officers were captured at the airport, which means some in our midst do not take this policy seriously By Duncan Mlanjira President Lazarus…

Agriculture must go beyond AIP social protection programmes—Chakwera’s SONA

February 19, 2023