By Christina Mkutumula

Lilongwe, March 7, Mana: The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) says it is impressed with value addition to its products by Naturals Limited Company.

Speaking after touring the company on Friday, Country Director for IFAD Bernadette Mukonyora said her organization was impressed with the value addition done to agricultural products.

“Most of you are aware that MW2063 pillar 1 talks about Agriculture commercialization as critical to ensuring wealth creation among Malawians. What we have seen today is a glimpse of what could be a drive to such wealth,” she said

Makonyora said Naturals limited drive to process baobab seeds into oil is a great demonstration of what value addition is, as they are using indigenous trees that have economic value.

“Our organization is looking for developmental outcomes in the SDGs as key pinnacles that drive real transformation with the community” she said.

According to Makonyora, the interest of IFAD is to see that people in the country are self-reliant and that they have viable livelihoods.

She said Naturals limited supported by International labour Organization (ILO) through IFAD has made it possible to unlock jobs for young people.

“A lot of young people have gone into apprenticeship with Naturals Limited as jobs were created by the company. These jobs are not only created in the cities but also in the rural areas,” she said.

Director of ILO for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, Wellington Chibebe said the ProAgro Youth project is focusing on skills development in the agro industry in order to ensure that skills are imparted to the youths so that they do not remain idle.

“As ILO we are focusing on youth development and in Malawi our focus is on agribusiness because we feel that the value chain and employment in that area is quite high.

“Skills development is key in any nation because with relevant skills one can do anything, like being an employer but also an entrepreneur,” he said.

He said as a nation there is need to train prospective employers because the idea of gaining relevant skills and looking for a job should be a thing of the past.

Chibebe also disclosed that his organization will get in phase II of the project with focus on rural setup.

Senior Deputy Director of Planning in the Ministry of Labour, Wezzie Kayira Madzi said the project aimed at enhancing youths skills in the agriculture sector.

She said time has come to start looking beyond just equipping youths with relevant skills, but also help them with start-up capital for businesses. 

Managing Director for Naturals Limited, Towera Jalakasi thanked IFAD and ILO for the grant given to her company as they were able to train youths and produce oil from baobab fruits for both skin and hair.

One of the young people who benefited from the training at Naturals Limited, Moses ziyaya said the training helped as he is now employed and able to assist his family with what he is receiving at his work place.