By Martha Simchimba

Lilongwe, July 7, Mana: International Potato Centre says it is geared to commercialize potatoes and promote consumption at the household level in the country.

The organization’s Research Technician, Thokozani Mvula was speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday during the District Nutrition Coordinating Committee meeting saying they intend to achieve that through a Market-Led Transformation of the root and tuber crops subsector in Malawi where they will increase private sector participation in value chains among others.

“Among others, the project seeks to reduce imports of potatoes from outside the country. In the meantime, we are getting more potatoes from outside and yet we have a very good land where we can grow more potatoes,” he said.

Food and Nutrition Officer for Lilongwe East Agriculture Office, Chikondi Magombo said the district will benefit more from the project by increasing consumption at household level.

 "I want to appreciate people in the country because they have started learning that roots and tuber crops are useful for improved nutrition in family diets which can also assist in reducing malnutrition," she said.

The project which will run for four years with financial support from Ireland Embassy is targeting 60,000 households.

Currently, the project is being implemented in eight districts of Dowa, Dedza, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Mchinji, Mzimba, Ntchisi and Ntcheu.