By Priscilla Phiri

Lilongwe, September 10, Mana: Vice President Dr Michael Bizwick Usi has called on Malawi’s forestry sector to put into action the structures designed for forest conservation, emphasizing their importance for the country’s economic development.

Speaking at the launch of the Forest Plantation Fee Structure Report and a Public-Private Engagement on Forest Plantation in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Usi highlighted the misalignment of current forest pricing policies with community needs.

He pointed out that this misalignment has led to a minimal contribution of forests to Malawi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The implication of our forest policy pricing demands immediate action. Over the past five years, the forestry sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been a mere 0.1 percent.

This low contribution is a reminder of the gaps in policy enforcement and evaluation of forest resources, hindering both revenue collection and sustainable waste management,” Usi stated.

Recognizing these challenges, Usi mentioned that Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests (MCHF), with funding from USAID and in collaboration with MwAPATA, conducted a comprehensive study on Malawi’s forest fee structure, which aimed to assess whether revenue generation can sustain production.

“This study provides evidence to decision-makers, comparing the current fee structure with those in the Sub-Saharan Africa region to guide the establishment of an effective and competitive fee structure,” he said.

Usi also stressed the need for effective implementation structures and a conducive environment for private sector participation, which he deemed crucial for the success of environmental initiatives in the country.

He further instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change to name those involved in corruption within the forestry sector to address the corruption challenges currently affecting development.

Echoing Usi’s sentiments, MwAPATA Executive Director William Chadza emphasized the importance of the study, noting that it highlights the status of the country’s forestry sector in economic development.

“The research on assessing forest plantation fees and prices was undertaken to make a comparative analysis of our prices with those in other Sub-Saharan regions.

 “This will inform decision-making on how forestry and plantation contribute to the social and economic development of the country and how it can be enhanced,” Chadza said.

He also urged authorities to allocate sufficient resources to the forestry sector to manage the country’s forests effectively.