To rejuvenate its agricultural sector, Malawi is concentrating on the revival of banana cultivation, a critical crop historically for the nation. This initiative, led by the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) in collaboration with the Centre for Agriculture Transformation (CAT), aims to enhance local production capabilities while simultaneously reducing the nation's dependency on imported bananas, which currently stands at approximately 20,000 metric tons per year, incurring a cost of about $12 million.
The partnership has seen NBM committing K90 million ($110,000) towards the introduction of new banana varieties to strengthen this sector's resilience. Harold Jiya, CEO of NBM, remarked on the significance of this collaboration with CAT, stating, "This partnership with CAT will not only help revive the struggling banana industry but will also reduce our reliance on imports, which puts pressure on our economy." The initiative focuses on empowering local banana farmers with new technologies and varieties to boost their productivity.
McCloud Nkhoma, Executive Director of CAT, emphasized the organization's commitment to providing smallholder farmers with technical agricultural support, including the establishment of demonstration plots and guidance on the cultivation of these new banana varieties. The initiative's primary goal is to enhance farmer productivity and income.
The initiative has commenced with CAT working through local district agriculture offices to identify farmers who will benefit from the training and demonstration plots. This approach addresses the challenges posed by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus, which previously devastated local plantations.
Mathias Nkhoma of the Department of Crops highlighted the initiative's alignment with the Malawi 2063 blueprint, aiming to modernize agriculture and prioritize local produce. The revival of banana cultivation is expected to contribute to economic growth through increased exports and reduced imports.
Additionally, the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) has made strides in improving irrigation systems, with the first phase of the Mlambe Irrigation Scheme rehabilitation covering 48 hectares. Gideon Zumani, an Agricultural Production Officer at GBA, reported significant progress with the early variety TK 8023 already harvested. The project aims to enhance crop variety and production volume, contributing to economic development through high-value exports such as chilies to markets like India.
By integrating financial support with agricultural expertise, Malawi is poised not only to revitalize its banana industry but also to achieve broader agricultural and economic objectives. This strategic approach aims to improve local production capacity, crop resilience, and economic independence, fostering optimism for the future of Malawi's agricultural output.
Source: The Pinnacle Gazette