Govt releases K500m for mega farms as Engucwini Cooperative longs to benefit from the programme
The wait is over the implementation of mega farms following the releasing of K500 million to facilitate the rollout of the farms.
Nyasa Times has confirmed that the Ministry of Finance has provided Greenbelt Authority (GBA) with the money to facilitate implementation of mega farms.
GBA was tasked to implement the setting up of mega farms across the country.
GBA Chief Executive Officer Eric Chidzungu told local media on Tuesday that five farms have already been set up where maize has been planted.
Controller of Agricultural Extension and Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, who is also coordinating setting of mega farms, Alfred Mwenefumbo, said they have developed a concept that has set conditions, which investors in mega farms are expected to follow.
Recently, smallholder farmers under the Mzimba-based Engucwini Farmers’ Cooperative expressed readiness and keenness to benefit from mega farms.
They challenged that time had gone when commercial agriculture used to be a preserve for large-scale farmers.
Engucwini Farmers’ Cooperative Marketing Chairperson, John Mlowoka, said the establishment of mega farms is a great opportunity for smallholder farmers to realize huge profits from their investment.
Mlowoka therefore commended President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for his resolve to protect the farmers who have largely been at the mercy of unscrupulous traders.
He made the sentiments in an interview with journalists of a media tour of the projects under the Sustainable Food Systems for Rural Agriculture Transformation and Resilience (TRANSFORM) Program, Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid (NCA/DCA Malawi Joint Program) is coordinating alongside the Development Fund of Norway (DF), and Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).
“We are ready to take up the challenge should we be given a chance. We are ready to pool our resources together to benefit from these mega farms,” said Mlowoka.
A renowned agriculture economics expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula said mega farms are not only critical for the growth of the agriculture sector, but also create market opportunities for smallholder farming communities.
Mvula was reacting to the directive President Chakwera had made to the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite the establishment of the mega farms.
