By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, March 14, Mana: Members of Parliament (MPs) have been called upon to support construction of Chigumula Industrial Site which, currently, requires additional K5.6 billion to be completed.

The call was made Thursday in Blantyre when Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, and Parliamentary Committees on Trade and on Media and Information visited Chigumula Industrial Site to appreciate progress.

Mumba said by timely financing the project, the country will start realizing billions of Kwachas that will come from the site.

"Apart from creating jobs, these industries will help in bringing forex from exports. Industry is the backbone of any economy hence we need to speed up this project," he said.

Mumba, therefore, lobbied MPs to support the initiative by approving the requested K5.6 billion.

Board Chairperson for Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), Godwin Ng'oma, said Chigumula Industrial Site has made  progress compared to the other four sites.

"Chigumula site has progressed a lot because it was taken as a pilot where we should learn from. We need K2.8 billion for the roads and K2.6 billion for the sewer and all finishing works. If we are given the money, come June 31, 2025, this site will be completed," he said.

Chairperson for the Industry, Trade and Tourism and Media and Communication Cluster of Parliament, Paul Nkhoma, who is MP for Kasungu North East said they needed to inspect the site.

"Despite allocating a lot of money towards industrial sites for the past two years, we haven't been seeing convincing progress," he said.

He said they are now convinced with the progress made and will recommend extra finances for the project so that it is completed and handed over to investors.

By Gift Chiponde

Mzuzu, March 13, Mana: Teachers working in rural and hard-to-reach areas of the northern region have praised government for introducing Teachers Reform Hardship Support Scheme, saying it has significantly improved their livelihoods and well-being.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency, teachers from various districts shared their experience of how the initiative has eased the challenges they face in remote schools.

Lusungu Chimaliro, a teacher at Changasi Primary School in Nkhatabay District, said the scheme has been a game-changer, allowing him to focus more on his work without constantly worrying about financial struggles.

"Teaching in a rural area has always been challenging due to poor infrastructure and lack of resources. However, with this support, I can now afford better living conditions and transportation, making it easier to deliver quality education to my learners," he said.

Another teacher at Chirembe Primary School in Nkhatabay, David Tembo said that the initiative has revived the working spirit among teachers, stating that the scheme has boosted teachers’ morale for hard-to-reach areas in the region.

"Many teachers previously refused postings to remote areas because of the harsh conditions. But now, with the government’s support, we feel valued and motivated to continue serving our communities," he stated.

Another teacher from Lwambo Primary School Dyton Hara from Chitipa highlighted how the initiative has helped retain teachers in rural schools.

"Previously, many teachers would request transfers after just a short time in rural schools due to financial hardships. This program is ensuring that we can stay longer and focus on improving education for our learners," he said.

Agness Mwanyongo, a teacher in Mzimba, said the hardship scheme has transformed her life, enabling her to pay school fees and support her household.

 "This program has been a blessing," she said. "It has relieved my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my work and provide for my family," said Mwanyongo.

In his remarks, Director of Education and Sports for Chitipa District Council, McGiven Chinyamula urged teachers to make use of the opportunity while assuring them of continued support in addressing rural education challenges.

The Teachers Reform Hardship Support Scheme was introduced to provide financial and material assistance to teachers posted in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts through the Malawi Education reform Programme, aiming to improve education standards and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students, regardless of location.

By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, March 13, Mana: Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma, says commencement of extraction of rare earth at Kangankunde Mining Site in Balaka has potential to boost the country’s economy as the mining site will be able to remit over US$80,000 annually to Malawi’s economy.

The Minister disclosed this in Balaka on Wednesday during the launch of Lindian Rare Earth Mining activities and construction of a tar mark road from the M1 Road to Kangankunde Mining Site to improve transportation of various items to and from the site.

“I am grateful to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera for initiating the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) Strategy. Out of the mining sector, the country’s economy will grow.

“What Lindian Associates has done here in Balaka is commendable; with their deposits of 600 million out of the mining sites. This will turn Malawi to a better place,” he said.

He asked the company to look after the environment, observing that most investors leave out big trenches when leaving mining sites.

He, therefore, expressed hope that the mining activities will also provide employment to young people and women in the area.

“The impending transition from exploration to mining brings forth significant opportunities including employment creation, skills transfer and capacity building for Malawians, infrastructure development as well as revenue generation, among others,” he said.

Lindian Associates Executive Chairperson, Rob Martin, said the road construction will create economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

“Lindian is committed to provide job opportunities to communities, support local business and enhance local infrastructure which will help develop the area through several activities,” he said.

Martin made an assurance that his company will continue supporting government to accelerate the country’s economy.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, March 13, Mana: Kawale Police is keeping in custody a 32-year-old witch doctor, Thomson Benson, for having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old step daughter contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.

According to Kawale Police Spokeperson, Precious Mabvuto Phiri, the suspect got married to a woman who had a girl child from another man.

The couple was staying with the daughter in Area 24 in Lilongwe.

Phiri said investigation has shown that Benson started sleeping with the child in 2023.

“The suspect used to send his wife for farming during rainy season creating an environment suitable for him to have sexual intercourse with the child.

"In February, 2025 the victim realized that she was pregnant of his step father and decided to reveal the ordeal to her mother. Further, a report was formerly made at Area 24 Police Unit where detectives swiftly arrested the suspect," he said.

Benson, who hails from Khoswe Village, Traditional Authority Kalolo in Lilongwe District, will appear in court soon after completion of paper work.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, March 13, Mana: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has called on agriculture frontline workers to be aligned with new agricultural reforms for them to transform the country’s agricultural sector from subsistence to commercial farming, saying this is the only way to address hunger and boost productivity.

Agriculture frontline workers include extension development officers, crops officers, veterinary officers and irrigation officers.

Kawale made the call on Wednesday in Salima during an interface meeting with Salima and Nkhotakota agriculture frontline workers, where he also acknowledged that the success of the reforms depends largely on the alignment and support of frontline workers.

"We are engaging the frontline workers today because we acknowledge their essential role in the reforms, because they are responsible for executing agriculture programs on the ground," he said.

The minister said better coordination between the Ministry and its frontline staff, remains important, stating that communication would be a fundamental principle in achieving the sector's goals.

Kawale further said farmers must transition from depending on the Agricultural Input Programme (AIP), which has limited success in helping farmers thrive.

He added: "While AIP is important, it cannot be the sole solution to the challenges faced by the agriculture sector. Instead, there is a focus on providing farmers with more sustainable and efficient access to farm inputs and pushing them towards mechanization,” he said.

"We are engaging with organizations like the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to provide additional support for smallholder farmers looking to scale up their operations," he added.

The Ministry is further urging frontline workers to engage more actively with farmers, helping them understand the benefits of commercial farming and how it can lead to long-term development and prosperity.

Agriculture Extension Development Officer who also represented Technicians Union of Malawi, Rahaby Whayo Gama said the meeting with the Minister is an eye opener for them to have a better understanding of the ministry's shifting of focus from subsistence farming to commercial farming.

"We have been aligned with the plans of the Ministry, we are on the same page and when meeting farmers from our communities we will take a message that is in line with government's reforms and that they are going to be assisted with necessary skills and inputs," he said.

She however highlighted some of the challenges they are facing for them to be efficient in their work, such as mobility challenges, and lack of protective gear.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni said they have loan packages that aim at improving the productivity of farmers.

“We are a nation that still depends on agriculture, our path to development lies in commercial farming, and that is what we are pushing for. If we can get the frontline workers to fully support and align with these reforms, we will see real progress in our agriculture sector," he said.

The meetings will take place in all Agricultural Divisions in the country, and NEEF is supporting the series of meetings with financial support and technical expertise.

By Yankho Kandio

Salima, March 13, Mana: Government of Malawi has received six tractors with their implements and a mobile grain dryer from the Republic of South Korea as part of efforts to enhance agricultural mechanization in the country.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Salima on Wednesday, Minister of Agriculture, Sam Dalitso Kawale, said the equipment, valued at USD 300,000 will help to improve farming efficiency and productivity.

“This donation marks a crucial step towards mechanising our agriculture sector. The equipment will ease the burden on farmers, enabling them to increase production and contribute to national food security,” said Kawale.

He further disclosed that an additional consignment of 10 farm machines is expected to arrive later this year as part of continued efforts to modernize the sector.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Malawi, His Excellency Jae-Kyung Park, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Malawi in achieving food security.

“South Korea remains a strong development partner to Malawi. We will continue to support initiatives that uplift the livelihoods of Malawians through agriculture as the backbone of the country’s economy and other key sectors,” he said.

Ambassador Park also announced plans for an agricultural project set to commence next year, with Salima District identified as the first beneficiary.

The donation is the first phase of a larger initiative aimed at promoting mechanised farming and improving productivity in Malawi.

By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, March 12, Mana: Farmers in Kasungu have hailed Agriculture Extension Officers and Alliance One company for their support that enables them to produce quality leaf which is highly marketable at the market.

Speaking on Tuesday, one of the farmers, Maxwell Banda said the training support he has been offered by Agriculture Extension Officers in the Traditional Authority (TA) Chulu has equipped him with exceptional knowledge on how he can cure and grade tobacco from nursery till harvesting.

Banda said the trainings have significantly impacted his production as he produced 15 tobacco bales in 2024, which were sold at a very good price.

"From the time I started attending the trainings and received support from Agriculture Extension Officers, the harvests have changed from producing 3 to 15 bales of tobacco.

"I believe that this year I will produce more than 15 bales," Banda explained.

William Chenembu is another farmer from TA Kaphaizi in Kasungu district, who is thrilled with the support that Alliance One Company provides.

He applauded the Company for its commitment of providing farm inputs and trainings to contracted farmers in the area.

“I thank Alliance One Company for its unwavering support it renders to us farmers, these have improved my production.

"For instance, I have been harvesting 50 tobacco bales every year and I sale at good price," Chenembu explained.

He further said that due to the dry spells that occurred this growing season, he expects to have low harvests of about 20 tobacco bales.

Chinembu added that despite anticipating low yield, his tobacco has been well cured, and is expected to be sold at a good price.

Corporate Affairs Officer for Alliance One Company, Ben Kaonga said as part of the Company's extension services, they provide contracted farmers with group and one-on-one agronomic support to promote production of compliant, quality and high yield.

He further said the company educates contracted farmers about the importance of presenting quality leaf and well graded tobacco.

"Our company educates contracted farmers about the importance of presenting quality and well graded tobacco as it improves efficiencies at market resulting in timely sales.

"Prices are also competitive. Our contracted farmers recognized that to attain high quality tobacco, adherence to agronomic practices at all production stages is important," Kaonga said.

He added that the benefits of their services help contracted growers to understand and appreciate the importance of implementing agronomic practices that result in improved yields, food security and diversified income opportunities.

On his part, spokesperson for Tobacco Commission, Telephorus Chigwenembe said, the commission is committed to ensure that all institutions that deal with farmers on tobacco production are following recommended practices.

He said the Tobacco Industry Act empowers the commission to confiscate illicit tobacco.

"We are committed to ensure that all institutions that have the responsibility to educate farmers on tobacco grading and handling are doing the right thing and are following the law," Chigwenembe said.

According to Chigwenembe, the Commission will continue demonstrating to the world how the country is producing tobacco and how it is complying with environmental, social, and governance standards in the production of tobacco.