By Prisca Mashushu

Lilongwe, September 19, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, has said is impressed with the official launch of the National Rice Development Strategy II (NRDS), saying it will boost markets within Africa as well as the potential to improve food security in the country.

Kawale made the remarks on Thursday, at cross-roads Hotel in Lilongwe.

The Minister said he was satisfied with the launch of the strategy saying it is a landmark towards boosting international markets within Africa, but also a potential to increase economy and food security.

He said his presence at the launch portrays his personal commitment as a minister of agriculture and the Malawi Government to promote rice farming, which he said has a significant potential to contribute to the national food security, economic growth and development of this country.

Kawale acknowledged that the launch was a historical landmark in the rice subsector, marking the beginning of the country's structured and harmonized approach to coordinating the rice value chain.

“As we know, rice is the second most important cereal crop after maize. That is why we need to intensify our efforts to increase productivity and production for sustainable food and income security at the household and national levels.

“The Malawi Government commits to creating a conducive environment for the rice sector to flourish, from production to marketing. I am glad that the Strategy touches on critical areas to support the growth of the rice sector, such as mechanization and large-scale commercial production, which is in line with His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s vision of developing Mega Farms,” he said.

He, however, commended the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) for technical and financial assistance in the development of the strategy, which aims to drive Malawi’s economic growth and food security through rice sector development.

Kawale also thanked Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for facilitating the development of the Strategy.

Chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hazuhiro Tambara explained that the strategy will have the potential to bring foreign exchange and boost agriculture by creating a conducive environment for rice products.

“Japan will help Malawi to benefit symbiotically by providing mechanization and technology services that will ensure to boost rice production since people of Japan also takes rice as a staple food,” he said.