MANAonline
Blantyre and Zomba farmers trained in potato value addition
By Nellie Nyirenda
Mana April 6, Blantyre: In a bid to avoid post-harvest losses, Tehirah Bakeries, in collaboration with the Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) at the University of Malawi, organised a two-day training for Blantyre and Zomba farmers on sweet potato value addition.
Under the theme: Good Agriculture Practices and Post-Harvest Management, the training was held recently at Lunzu Rural Training Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture to empower farmers from the two districts with skills and knowledge to turn the crop into reliable food against hunger and poverty.
Tehirah Bakeries Director, Jean Pankuku said sweet potato was capable to play a pivotal role in addressing food insecurity if grown on larger scale.
“Sweet potato is one of the most climate-resilient crops. With the unpredictable weather pattern we are experiencing, potato offer a sustainable solution to minimising hunger in Malawi.
“Beyond just eating potatoes, we can make bread, biscuits, and flour to reduce our dependence on imports and opening up income opportunities,” she added.
Associate Professor of Food Science at the University of Malawi, Victoria Ndolo challenged farmers to rethink how they treat their harvest.
“Farmers should normalise reserving part of their harvest for household consumption rather than putting everything up for sale. Climate-resilient crops like sweet potatoes are key in mitigating climate change related hunger and improving livelihood,” she said.
The training was combined practical and theoretical aspects such that on the second day, farmers learnt hands-on techniques to improve yield, manage harvests, and transform sweet potatoes into profitable food products.
Each cooperative farmer group was encouraged to brainstorm and decide on a sweet potato-based business they wanted to pursue ranging from baking, flour production to snack making.
Tehirah Bakeries and CRAFS were committed to provide support and follow-ups, to ensure acquired skills and knowledge on potato growing and value adding take root to grow into sustainable enterprises.
A farmer from Matindi in Blantyre, Saidi Banda hailed Tehrah and CRAFS for organising the training, saying skills and knowledge gained was life-changing.
“I gained a lot of new ideas and skills. I learnt how to produce flour, and bake using sweet potatoes.
“I will go back home with a lot of skills and knowledge and will put this into use. This will help farmers start small businesses instead of selling everything after harvesting.” he added
As Malawi continues to grapple with climate change related challenges, alternative initiatives in value addition signal a shift from vulnerability to resilience and from survival to sustainable growth.
With sweet potato at the center, Banda expressed hope that the trained farmers sowed seeds of transformation their fields and sustainable future.
Deputy minister calls for speedy identification of TA Mwamlowe’s replacement
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, April 6, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Joyce Chistulo has called for a speedy identification of a replacement of late acting Traditional Authority (TA) Mwamlowe who was laid to rest on Saturday.
She made the remarks during the funeral ceremony of the late traditional leader at his headquarters in Mlowe where she represented the president, Dr Lazarus Chakwera.
She said Mwamlowe was a representative for his people in the local assembly and his demise has created a gap that needs to be filled quickly.
"Traditional chiefs are very critical in championing government's development activities in their respective communities and the death of Mwamlowe has created a gap that needs to be filled.
"We hope the family will quickly identify a replacement to represent them at the local assembly. We also hope the process will be according to laid down succession procedures to avoid wrangles," said Chistulo.
She also echoed calls by Member of Parliament for area, Kamlepo Kalua and the late chief’s family to elevate the Mwamlowe Chieftaincy to Senior Chief because it is one of the oldest chieftaincies in the district.
Senior Chief Katumbi who represented Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, described late Mwamlowe as a peaceful person who was friendly to everyone.
Family representative, Weston Mhango described the late chief as the pillar to the family who loved his family and community very much.
He added that the community will also miss his passion for sports in particular football and had a social football team which he accompanied to various areas to watch it play.
Born Ian Kachipapa Mwamlowe on 21 June in 1967 he became acting chief in 2014 following the death of his father, but was never officially installed as TA.
He is survived by a wife and two children.
151 students graduate from Glee Grace Hospitality and Tourism Academy
By Gift Wahuta
Blantyre, April 5, Mana: 151 students graduated from Glee Grace Hospitality and Tourism Academy, in Blantyre on Friday at its first graduation since the establishment of the academy four years ago at Blantyre Lodge campus.
Out of 151 students, 147 were females while four were males, and all received certificates in various fields of hospitality and tourism.
Speaking during the ceremony, Marketing Brand Manager for Multi Choice Malawi, Susan Mpunga, encouraged the newly graduated students to be dedicated to duty and uphold work ethic wherever they will work.
“Don’t belittle yourselves. Keep working hard; you have what it takes not just to look for job opportunities, but to create your own business opportunities using the skills you have gained from this institution,” said Mpunga.
The Principal of Glee Grace Hospitality and Tourism Academy, Jonathan Samalani, said the institution will hold more graduation ceremonies in the future to gain recognition and to also inspire students and make parents and guardians proud.
Samalani added that the institution operates under two streams: a private stream, where students pay K150,000 per semester, and a bursary stream supported by Blantyre Malabada legislator, Ishmael Mkumba.
“This institution was initially established to help people of Blantyre Malabada Constituency with bursary schemes. We are therefore committed to equip other students with required skills in the hospitality and tourism industry,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of fellow students, Brian Jordan Maonga, pledged to add value to the nation’s hospitality and tourism industry through the acquired skills and knowledge from Glee Grace Tourism and Hospitality Academy.
The ceremony was spiced up by students’ various performances.
Farmers in Balaka urged not to sell their 2024-2025 maize harvest
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, April 5, Mana: Balaka District Council on Friday urged all farmers in the district to avoid selling their maize produce to vendors, citing an average maize crop yield in the 2024/2025 agricultural season.
Council Chairperson, Councilor Pharao Kambiri, made the call at the 2025 district agriculture field day at Rivirive Extension Planning Area which was held under the theme: Climate smart and diversified agriculture, key to sustainable food and nutritional security.
He observed that the district received average crop yield in the 2024/2025 agricultural season with most people prone to hunger following anticipated little harvest.
Kambiri said, “We have noted with concern that farmers are selling their maize to vendors with others going as low as K30,000 per bag. This is very worrisome considering the fact that they are the same people who literally had no food at home just two months ago.
“What we are saying is that, farmers must make calculations of their household members before selling out their maize. For a fully grown up person, every year he or she consumes up to six bags of 50 kilograms of maize, so before selling, people must take this into account.”
He said farmers need to wait till government releases the farm gate prices of commodities so that they sell at a recommended price.
Director of Agriculture at Balaka District Council, David Alli said field days provide opportunity for farmers to share experiences and showcase technologies that need to be adopted to increase crop production.
“We bring together non-governmental organizations in the agricultural sector, farmers and other stakeholders so that together we showcase technologies for farmers to adopt. We also remind one another challenges we face in executing agricultural practices.
“Apart from this, agro dealers also bring forward more new improved seed varieties that have been introduced on the market, in which farmers are encouraged to adopt especially now that the agriculture sector has faced serious challenges related to climate changes,” he added.
Commenting on the overall crop performance in the farming year, Alli said the district has seen a better yield as compared to the previous year.
“It is encouraging that apart from maize, a lot of farmers have also invested in sorghum and the crop has really done well in most areas which will act as a cushion to the people as it can be substituted with maize,” he added.
Orant Charities, Opulence enter partnership on project implementation
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, April 5, Mana: Orant Charities Africa and Opulence, two of the established Non-Governmental Organizations in Dowa, have entered a one-year partnership with an aim of maximizing impact on the communities they serve.
Speaking after the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday at Kasese in Senior Chief Chakhaza in Dowa District, Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Opulence, Hugo Ngwira, said the collaboration comes after realizing that the two organizations serve similar purposes.
This, he said, has been coupled to enhance resource mobilization and utilization.
"The most important thing is that we will be sharing expertise. As Opulence, we know what we are good at, and we also know the strengths of Orant Charities Africa. So when we join hands and share expertise, we will be able to bring tangible change to our communities.
"It also gives us the ability to reach more people. If individually you reach 1, 000 people, you can double or triple the figure through collaboration. So this is a very important development," said Ngwira.
Opulence comes into the agreement with knowledge in education, Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), economic empowerment, and permaculture, which has been deemed as crucial in averting the effects of climate change on agriculture and its potential in maximizing productivity at low costs.
Orant Charities Africa, on the other hand, also established interventions in five key thematic areas of education support, healthcare, WASH, agriculture, and business development programs, where it supports local entrepreneurs.
In his remarks, Country Director for Orant Charities Africa, Gabriel Kapanda said the signing of the MoU is significant and will kick start various collaborations between the two organizations.
"In this partnership, we will be working together to implement various projects in education, agriculture, economic empowerment and other areas.
"We are also going to do joint grant writing, looking for other partners out there, including sharing data to ensure that we all understand various aspects of program implementation as well as ensure we help each other in capacity building," said Kapanda.
He said that through the collaboration, there will be a greater impact on the communities they serve.
"We also foresee sustainability of projects because when one organization is having challenges, it will be able to draw strength from the capabilities of the other," he said.
District Commissioner for Dowa Stallichi Mwambiwa described the agreement as a milestone.
He said, basing on their interventions, these are some of the big organizations in the district and the council anticipates a lot from the collaboration.
"If you notice, most of their thematic areas are almost common. Now, when people are doing common issues and come together, it entails there will be kinds of economies of scale in terms of knowledge, expertise, resources and other things.
"As a council, we will still be there in helping and guiding them where necessary, but most importantly, seeing to it that their interventions are completely aligned to the aspirations of the district,” said Mwambiwa.
District Monitoring Officer for Non Governmental Organizations Regulatory Authority, Dan Kumbalika commended the partnership, saying it will help empower the two organizations.
Mudslide damages crops in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, April 5, mana: A mudslide that occurred on Thursday and Friday due to heavy rainfall in Chitipa has damaged crops belonging to 27 households at Kasambara Village in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in the district.
In an interview, Disaster Risk Management Officer for Chitipa District, Mphatso Nedson
said the mud resulting from the disaster blocked Katete River flow, causing flooding in nearby crop fields.
“The mudslide is expected to exacerbate due to the continuous rainfall experienced in the area,” Nedson said.
He further said that the Area Disaster Risk Management Committee (ADRMC) is on the ground conducting preliminary assessments to establish the extent of damage.
ADRMC Chairperson for Misuku, Cecilia Simwela said that crops like maize, beans, sweet potatoes, amongst other crops have been damaged by mudslide.
M005 Road closed in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, April 5, Mana: The Malawi Roads Authority has announced closure of the M005 Road in Nkhata Bay due to heavy rains that have made the road impassable.
The affected section is located at Tukombo in the area of Traditional Authority Zilakoma.
According to a press release signed by the Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Ammiel Champiti, the Armco Pipe Culvert at Tukombo has been washed away at a distance of 76 Kilometers from Nkhata Bay towards Dwangwa Trading Centre.
Motorists travelling between Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay are advised to take Nkhotakota-Kasungu-Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay (M018), (M001) and (M005) Roads accordingly.
The statement says efforts are underway to restore the situation.
Chacha continues extending a hand to the needy
By Tikondane Vega
Lilongwe, April 5, Mana: Chawezi Banda, popularly known as "Chacha", has offered to pay school fees to 14-year-old Chirimba-based young comedian Ndaziona.
This comes a few weeks after she also started supporting an 18-year-old girl, Thokozani Monjeza, who was on the verge of dropping out at Mwanza boarding Secondary School.
Ndaziona, who trades under the banner Makiliyombe Comedy, stays with her grandmother and is in Standard 7 at one of the Private Schools in Blantyre.
“However, l feel that it is proper if l send her to a boarding school, where l will be providing all the support. I am very happy because last month l also adopted another girl from Mwanza Secondary School, for whom I am paying her school fees as well,” said Banda.
On her part, Ndaziona said she is grateful to Chacha because she has been lacking support since she has no one to support her education.
“I never had a dream of learning at a boarding school, but now l just say thank you, God. To Madam Chacha, l say God bless you because out of millions of girls in the country, to be chosen by you is not a small thing. I promise to work very hard,” she said.
Recently, Chacha donated various food items to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital to celebrate her new age.
MITC launches Xidian International Stock Exchange (Malawi)
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, April 5 mana: Malawi Investment and Trade Center (MITC) has launched the first international stock market, Xidian Stock Exchange (Malawi), as one way of promoting strong economic development for the country.
Speaking during the event on Friday in Lilongwe, Director General for MITC, Kruger Phiri, explained that Xidian Stock Exchange (Malawi) is also another way of advancing Malawi's financial sector.
He said that the Xidian Stock Exchange (Malawi) is an important component of Malawi's financial market, leading international entrepreneurs to invest in Malawi and promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
"Establishment of Xidian stock exchange (Malawi) will attract more international investors to pay attention to Malawi, bringing a large influx of foreign investment which will further promote economic growth in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, mining and infrastructure among others as aligning with the Malawi 2063 agenda,” he added.
He further expressed gratitude to Chinese government for partnering with Malawi government in different investment sectors.
This landmark event marks a significant step for providing a transparent and standardised platform for investment and trade, complimenting the country's stock exchange.
In his address, Chairperson for Xidian Stock Exchange, Liao Jun Hua, emphasized that the establishment of Xidian Stock Exchange (Malawi) is a great milestone for transforming Malawi's economy.
"The Xidian Stock Exchange (Malawi) saves as a bridge for business and investors by providing a safer and more reliable investment environment in areas such as manufacturing, industrialization and technology,” he added.
He noted that this will also improve transparency and efficiency of the financial markets in Malawi.
In his remarks, Executive Director of Supervision and Regulation in Financial Services and Industry, Patrick Muhango, said the Stock Exchange will promote standardised trading platform and offer diversified investment opportunities for Malawi and international investors.
He therefore, appealed to Chinese government and other investors to continue playing important role in supporting the Malawi's financial markets.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally, to explore key investment opportunities.
Mayors for Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu presented investments opportunities in their cities.
Teachers urged to serve with integrity
By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji, April 5, Mana: Students who have completed their studies at Mchinji Teachers Training College (TTC) have been urged to serve with integrity in the various schools they will be assigned inorder to develop and grow the education sector.
Mchinji Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Joyce Hamusini said this during a send-off ceremony organized by Mchinji TTC for its outgoing students under IPTE 18.
Hamusini said there is a challenge of teacher-pupil ratio as most schools have a few teachers compared to the number of pupils attending classes.
"The teacher pupil ratio has always been a challenge, but we expect that this is the beginning of a solution to the problem as we have witnessed 573 outgoing students today and we know it is a gradual process but the graduation of these students is one step closer to handling the problem," said Hamusini.
She further said the education department is pushing to train more teachers in the special needs department, so that learners who have special needs should not be left out in the process of inclusive education.
Hamusini further asked the students to respect one another and act as role models to their learners as well as people in their communities.
Concurring with her, Mchinji TTC Principal, McLoud Nkhata said witnessing the students' sendoff is a sign that their work has paid off and hopes that as they leave the college, they will be able to excel to greater heights.
"We expect that these students will not only stop here but will have the heart to go further with their education, such as pursuing degrees or PhDs, so that they can serve the nation in many ways as possible," said Nkhata.
Nkhata said the event was not only to celebrate the students but also as a way of reminding them that they have accomplished so much despite the challenges they faced, and believe that they will continue to excel even when they leave the college.
President of the Student Representative Council, Peter Kalonga, said the sendoff will act as a reminder to them to always work hard to achieve the goals they have set in life.
"As we go out, we will apply all the lessons we have learnt at the college and will engage one another in trying to build a better educational sector for both learners and teachers," said Kalonga.
About 573 students have graduated from the college, with 291 of them being female students and 282 being male.
The sendoff is the first of its kind at the college.
