MANAonline
Small holder farmers to migrate from AIP to Commercial Farming
By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, August 14, Mana: Government through the Ministry of Agriculture is migrating small holder farmers from Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) to commercial farming as one way of achieving the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) vision of having an agricultural sector that is commercially driven.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister, Sam Kawale, says that among other migrated beneficiaries are elderly and people with disability, commercial farmers who have 20 hectares or more of land and those with large pieces of land for mechanization.
“The migrated farmers from AIP to other programmess like Social Cash Transfer include the elderly and people with disabilities who find it difficult to cultivate, that is managed by the Ministry of Gender and over 300,000 households are expected to benefit from K36 billion that is put in place,”
“Commercial farmers with 20 hectares or more, with already available irrigation land and equipment, will have access to K20 billion financing from National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and those with large pieces of land who want to use mechanization will be encouraged to access Agricultural Commercialization (AGCOM) funds, which are close to K600 billion,” he said.
Kawale further says that there is K60 billion that is set to help youths, women and people with disabilities who want to start agro businesses.
“Youths, women and those with disabilities interested in starting agro businesses will access K60 billion through the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture Program (YEFFAP),” he added.
Agriculture Specialist, Tamani Nkhono recommends the development and said this is how he thinks that subsidy could have been designed from the beginning.
“The setup is ok, looking at the fact that subsidy is now reaching all categories of farmers is reaching those that are not able to produce, large scale and medium scale farmers, those have gone to social cash transfers. This is how the subsidy could have designed from the beginning,” he explained.
Nkhono added that the current setup is going to have impact in terms of food security and development of the country.
“What was happening with subsidy was more less like distorting the market as it was giving advantage to one class of farmers at the expense of others but also the resources going to the subsidy programme were more geared towards consumption than commercialization. There current setup will therefore going to bring impact in terms of food security but support those with ability to produce,” Nkhono added.
The universal subsidies existed from around 1990s (ADMARC’s Implicit taxation and Starter pack) while targeted subsidies started in the late 1990s and continue to date, including the Targeted from Input Program (TIP) and the Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) that the current government changed it to Affordable Inputs Program (AIP).
Communities appeal NGOs to invest more in disaster risk reduction
Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, August 14, Mana: Communities in Nsanje have asked non-governmental organizations to put much resources on disaster risk reduction in the district other than putting much focus on post disaster recovery when all is lost.
Chairperson of a group of volunteers in disaster risk management at Nthole Village, Charles Bishop told Malawi News Agency on Thursday in an interview that prioritizing disaster risk reduction will reduce impact of disasters on communities.
“A lot of organizations come with various interventions when a disaster occurs and as of now, few organizations are working on disaster-related activities. We therefore appeal to all non-governmental organizations to continue complimenting government efforts in reducing disaster risks” he said.
Group Village head Simenti said that communities were planting trees and bamboo as one way of reducing the speed of flooding water in their area.
“We need technical and material support so that we can achieve our desire of reducing the risk of floods that hit the district almost every year,” he added.
He therefore applauded Concern World for its continuously supporting disaster-related activities through Zurich Project.
“Through the Zurich Project, we have been oriented on Disaster Risk Management (DRM ACT 2023). Through the same Zurich Project, Concern Worldwide has also helped us to do participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment,” Group Village head Simenti added and called on more interventions from various players on disaster risk reduction.
He said community members only need support from various players in implementing activities that are meant to restore the environment through afforestation, adding that the community members took it upon themselves to plant trees, bamboos, and building houses that can withstand disasters
District Disaster Risk Management Officer in Nsanje, Dan Mandala also observed that most organization only respond to disasters as opposed to look into ways and means of reducing disaster risks.
"As disaster office, we advocate for risk reduction such that we work in collaboration with other NGO's to reduce disaster risks,” he added.
Nsanje Civil Society Organisation Network Chairperson, Mike Dansa said it was worrisome that organizations put much emphasis on recovery and distribution of relief items only.
“We need long-term projects that will change the lives of the community. Most of the NGOs come when disaster strikes. We have to admit this and as CSOOs, we will sit down to encourage each other to come up with interventions that will help to reduce disaster risks,” said Dansa.
He added that most of the organizations have short-term projects, which are characterized by low impacts on the lives of people.
“We have been hearing reports that Nsanje has a lot of organizations but people are still poor because short projects have less impact on the lives of people. People out there want capacity building on how they can build resilient houses, people want support to construct dykes,” Dansa added.
Nsanje is mostly prone to floods such that people are mostly affected by flood almost each and every rainy season.
Ministry of Lands issues 1 661 Certificate of Customary Estates in Phalombe
By Linda Likomwa
Phalombe, August 14, Mana: Ministry of Lands on Tuesday issued 1 661 Certificate of Customary Estates to farmers at Wowo Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority Nkhulambe in Phalombe.
Speaking in an interview after presenting the certificates, Commissioner of Lands, Precious Tembo said this was the first time they were issuing certificates in Phalombe, but that they have been conducting similar exercises in Chikwawa, Nsanje and Zomba.
“Once we have issued the certificates, it means the land cannot be sold, but the owners would be renting it out to others who want to use the land productively and this will also help to reduce land wrangles among family members,” he said.
Tembo added that issuing of certificates is in accordance with the 2016 Land Laws, pointing out that most of the certificates were issued in Chikwawa and Nsanje under the Shire Valley Transformation Project (SVTP).
Phalombe District Council Chairperson, Lesten Kondwani thanked the Ministry of Lands for issuing certificates to farmers at the scheme, saying this would go a long way in addressing land disputes among family and community members who were storming the District Commissioner's Office for redress.
One of the beneficiaries, Dolifa Massa from Dekadeka Village said the certificate has guaranteed them full ownership of their land and that they would help them secure the pockets of land from perpetrators who would want to sell or take away their land.
Over 100 000 certificates have already been issued and over 200 000 certificates are being processed under the SVTP, Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project in Zomba and Programme for Rural Irrigation Development in Phalombe.
Likoma CS-EPWP beneficiaries asked to save in VSLs
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, August 13, Mana: Land Resource Conservation Officer (LRCO) for Likoma, Arthur Machila has urged Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) beneficiaries in the district to save their money in village savings and loans (VSL) groups.
Machila said this Tuesday in Chizumulu at the end of a pay parade exercise which was held in Likoma and Chizumulu Islands.
"The money received can be saved in VSL groups. They can also start small scale businesses to enhance economic security at household level," said Machila.
One of the beneficiaries, Alice Muzizimanga from Chiteko in Chizumulu said she has been investing her money into a fish business.
"Since I got enrolled in the project, I have been investing the money into a small business. I buy fish and sell it to my customers from the mainland. I use the profits to buy food stuffs for my family," said Muzizimanga.
She then urged her fellow beneficiaries to invest the money in any business, saying this will help them to be self-reliant when the program phases out.
Rose Mataka from Chioko in Likoma said she uses the money to pay school fees for her children who are in secondary school.
"I have also used part of the money to build boys quarters and every month I get rentals from these quarters. Before the project, I never had any business and life was not easy," said Mataka.
CS-EPWP is a government initiative under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with support from the Multi Donor Trust Fund and the World Bank.
MACRA committed towards achieving acceleration of digital literacy
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, August 14, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) says it committed towards accelerating digital literacy as one-way of bridging digital divide amongst young people and the nation as a whole.
The remarks were made Wednesday in Mzuzu by MACRA Director General, Daud Suleman during National Youth Conversations Series on the role of youth in bridging digital divide which was organized by National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM).
Suleman said some of the contributing factors to digital divide in the country include limited access to affordable smart digital devices that can connect to internet.
He added that more people in urban areas are connected to internet than in rural areas hence resulting into a wide digital divide due to factors which include lack of digital infrastructure.
Suleman then said the most important to address digital divide to attain universal digitalization where all public posts in both rural and urban areas should have digital services to be accessed by every one for meaningful development.
“There are about 14 million sim cards out of which 1 million are on smart phones that can connect to internet while almost all the 14 million use mobile wallets using digital financial transactions.
This indicates that more people are knowledgeable of financial digital transactions but not connected to internet,” said Suleman.
He added that most of the young people who have smart phones do not use internet facility meaningfully and urged them to utilize the facility in promoting digital innovations, activism and entrepreneurships as opportunities have gone digital.
Suleman however was quick to say that the authority is planning to embark on local device assembly where by the authority will be importing parts of smart phones and be assembled in Malawi.
“This approach will reduce high tax regime on such devices and lowering their cost. The initiative will also be a catalyst in transferring digital skill to the youth as they will be ones assembling the phones.
The end product is that we are going to have affordable digital devices hence improving accessibility to the phones resulting into digital literacy and utilization acceleration,” he said.
The MACRA Director General added the authority has also embarked on a Connect a School Program through which the authority is constructing computer laboratories in all constituencies across the country to accelerate access to digital platforms through internet.
According to Associate Professor, Chomora Mikeka who is also Director of Science, Technologies and Innovations in Ministry of Education, the education sector is striving to have internet connectivity to all schools in 2030.
“Out of 6,954 primary schools, only 140 of them are connected and would like to have all of them all online.
We have many players under Connect a School Program and these players include MACRA, Universal Service Fund, Airtel PLC, Unicef and Digital Malawi Accelerator Project which is targeting to connect 2000 schools with most of them being secondary schools so that we promote digital literacy,” said Mikeka.
Board Chairperson for NYCOM, Duncan Chiyani the council organize a series of conversation for the youth to make tangible contributions towards the development of the country and share their vision of what country they would like to have in various aspects.
“This is the third in a series of conversations and the first one was on youth contributions to food systems and the second one was on young people and elections.
Today’s conversation is ‘Bridging the Digital Divide: Are Malawian Youth Ready to lead in the Digital Revolution towards Malawi 20263’.” said Chiyani.
One of the participants to the conversations, Erick Banda of Nkhata Bay Youth Network appealed to young people to lobby Parliament to consider including Digital Responsive Budget in Constituency Development Fund.
President Chakwera tours Mozambican industrial park
By Fostina Mkandawire
Maputo, August 14, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday toured Mozambican industrial area called Moz Park to appreciate trading activities being implemented by the Mozambican Government.
Speaking after touring Midal Cables International, President Chakwera said the tour was an eye opener and the trading industry in Malawi will benefit.
"The magnitude of manufacturing and exporting activities witnessed today are worth emulating to Malawi, I am impressed by how Midal Cables is conducting it's business," Chakwera said.
Chakwera said it is his vision to have a company that manufactures aluminium, alloy rod and wires the same way that Midal Mozambique is doing and exporting the cables worldwide.
The Moz Park is home to some of Africa’s key players within the manufacturing, industrial, import and export business.
The park is organized as a combined industrial park and free-trade zone and it accommodates over 35 companies employing more than 5,000 people.
Earlier, President Chakwera held bilateral talks with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and later Memorandums Of Understanding were signed to boost trade and improve the energy sector between the two countries.
The Moz Park is located in the Southern part of Mozambique, two kilometre away from the main highway and 20 km from the port.
Malawi, Mozambique sign trade MOU
By Fostina Mkandawire
Maputo, August 14, Mana: Malawi and Mozambique on Wednesday signed crucial Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) aimed at improving the energy sector and boosting trade of the two countries.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, which took place at the office of the President of Mozambique in Maputo, Chakwera said the signing of the trade agreements between Malawi and Mozambique is key in enhancing the economic relationship between Malawi and Mozambique.
"I am optimistic that the opening up of the Nacala Port to transport fuel and petroleum products from Mozambique to Malawi will reduce transportation costs of petroleum products and also the energy agreement will reduce black outs," Chakwera said.
Chakwera together with his counterpart President Filipe Nyusi witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandums of Understanding on energy being formalized by Energy Ministers of Malawi and Mozambique.
Under the agreements, Malawi seeks to negotiate for a convenient border post, simplified trade regimes, equal treatment of transporters, and tightened security to reduce the crossing of boarders using uncharted roots.
President Chakwera said it was pleasing to note that Malawi and Mozambique bilateral ties are now stronger than ever, a development that is beneficial to the people of Mozambique and Malawi.
In his remarks, President Nyusi said the two countries will collaborate to ensure these agreements become practical so that the people of the two countries benefit.
"Key sectors that are crucial to the development of our two countries have been thoroughly scrutinized such as agriculture, energy and transport, much focus has been given to the transport and energy sector," he said.
Nyusi mentioned that the Government of Mozambique will continue supporting the joint project of construction of the 218-kilometre Malawi-Mozambique Interconnector Project and Matambo Substation as part of the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnection Project (MOMA).
The Mozambican President expressed dismay at the current trade volumes between Malawi and Mozambique which are relatively low despite the proximity of major commercial and industrial hubs of the two countries.
“I can confidently say that we have allocated a space at Nacala Port for Malawi to be spearheading transportation of products to minimize traffic and cargo taking too long to reach Malawi," he said.
On this point Nyusi revealed that a one stop boarder post will be operationalized at Mwanza boarder in Malawi to further boost trading activities between the two countries.
While in Mozambique President Chakwera was taken on a learning visit to Boane district to appreciate industrial activities at Beluluane Industrial Park.
People at Kwilasya hail Machinga District Council for new market project
By Martin Chiwanda and Charlie Ligomeka
Machinga, August 14: Ward Councilor for Nkoola Ward, Margret Uladi and traders at Kwilasya market at Traditional Authority Nkoola have hailed Machinga District Council for deciding to construct a new market shelter which will cost MK42, 600, 000 through District Development Fund (DDF).
On Tuesday, Machinga District Council handed over a contractor, Ganizani Likhomo Building Contractors and Civil Engineering to the project site at Kwilasya market to start construction of the market shelter.
Uladi said was delighted with construction of the market shelter and expressed hope that the structure will provide good business environment for traders.
“I am happy with this project. I am sure this will really motivate people in this area to do more business in the market,” she said.
The Nkoola Ward Councilor added that the market shelter has come at a right time as an answer to complaints among traders that have been complaining of poor trade environment at Kwilasya market.
“Most of the people here have not been doing business though they wished to do it. This has been the case because the market has not been a better place for business. Construction of the new market shelter has come at a right time and is an answer to the challenges they have been facing,” said Uladi.
One of the traders at the market, Joyce Salani said was delighted with the market shelter construction, saying the structure will help traders to do business in a more conducive environment.
She added that a new market shelter was ideal considering that traders have been doing business in the open, in the scorching sun, windy conditions and sometimes business being disturbed by rains, adding that this becomes unhygienic thereby creating unconducive business environment.
“I am very happy with plans to construct a market shelter. We will be able to sale our commodities under a shelter that will protect us from bad weather conditions which has been our biggest problem,” Salani added.
Group Village head Kwilasya also commended Machinga District Council for deciding to embark on the market project and he pledged to put necessary measures that will ensure successful completion of the project.
“We have been struggling to do business due to poor conditions of the market. We have been given an opportunity to have a market shelter; we will make sure that project equipment is protected during the construction period. We will provide full assistance (if needed) to help our contractor to finish his work in time,” said Group Village head Kwilasya.
Machinga Council’s Environmental District Officer, Andrew Kaitano Hamza called on local leaders and their subjects to collaborate with the contractor to ensure success and timely completion of the project.
Hamza observed that land disputes were some of the issues that affect implementation of development projects.
He therefore expressed hope that chiefs will ensure all issues to do with land are dealt with to ensure dispute-free implementation of the market project.
He encouraged traders in the area to do business under the market shelter once completed, observing that some traders in some parts of the district shun doing business under such market structures at the expense of council’s revenue mobilization.
The contractor is expected to build the market shelter within 90 days.
Thamani Aviation pledges to support girls
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, August 14, Mana: A company responsible for providing flight support in Africa, Thamani Aviation has pledged to provide different support to girls in schools in the country including providing them with sanitary pads in order for them to remain in school and complete their education.
This follows the recent donation of reusable sanitary pads worth MK1.5 million to girls at Yepa Primary School in Lilongwe, which the aviation company made through a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as Girl Power for Change (GPC).
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Thamani Aviation Country Representative, Franklin Simbeye said that with their drive the gesture is part of fulfilling their corporate social responsibility in the country.
“We have air craft that pass through Malawi and because they pass through Malawi we make money through the Kamuzu International Airport, since we do business in Malawi our support towards girls is part of complementing our corporate social responsibility,” Simbeye said.
He added that with their move as a company they will make sure that girls in the country are always going to school.
“We will make sure that no school in Malawi should have girls who are failing to go to school whilst we are here.
“We will work with teachers and chiefs in supporting these girls, the more we do our business in Malawi we will ensure that we support these girls based on their need,” he said.
In a separate interview, GPC Vice Board Chairperson, Maryrose Ikumi commended Thamani Aviation for its gesture saying that it would motivate and encourage girls to remain in school and complete their education.
She also called upon other well-wishers including companies and organization to emulate Thamani Aviation’s drive especially on the distribution of sanitary pads to the girls in schools so that girls should not miss classes when they are doing their menstrual period.
“If many well-wishers can come together to donate sanitary pads to the girls then all the girls in Malawi will have sanitary pads and we will not have a problem of a girls not going to school because they are on period,” Ikumi said.
Also commenting on the same, Yepa Primary School Deputy Head Teacher, Gladys Mpoya also hailed Thamani Aviation for their commitment to support girls in schools saying that the gesture would alleviate some of the challenges that hinder girls’ education in the country.
Scaling up nutrition from the backyard
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, August 14, Mana: A 30-year-old Mwayi Nalitsiro is a mother of two who hails from Masinde 2 village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chigaru in Blantyre. Nalistiro recalls that before the German KFW funded project which has an Integrated Homestead Farming (IHF) component, her children were malnourished.
The IHF is a type of household farming that comprises different enterprises that are dependent on each other solely for food security at household level.
Together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), the KFW project is transforming lives of people in the area and complementing government in the fight against malnutrition.
Nalitsiro has a backyard garden now and she is able to produce fruits and vegetables for her family.
“This project has assisted my family since our nutrition intake has improved because we are able to eat fruits and vegetables fresh from our garden,” Nalitsiro said.
Apart from the backyard garden, Nalitsiro also has livestock and with expertise from FUM, she uses manure from the livestock to apply to her garden; thereby, increasing yields.
“This project has been transformative, now I know the benefits of having livestock such as chickens from where we get meat, eggs and of course manure,” she added.
Nutritional facilitator for T/A Chigalu, Victor Kanjuchi who works for FUM, indicated that the IHF component has proved to be successful in the area.
“There was a knowledge gap on issues of nutrition before we started implementing this project, people did not know the importance of having a backyard garden and livestock farming but now the story has changed because we have equipped them with skills,” said Kanjuchi.
According to Kanjuchi, the status of nutrition for most children in the area has improved because mothers are taught how to prepare porridge that contains the six food groups.
“We have been helping lactating mothers and those with under five children to make nutritious meals, more women have healthy babies now,” he said.
Agriculture Extension Development Coordinator, Precious Kalua said that government is impressed with the impact the project has made in T/A Chigaru.
“The role of this project in eradicating malnutrition cannot be overemphasized, farmers are able to sell their produce but also reserve some food for their families and that is commendable,” Kaluwa noted.
Kaluwa, however, disclosed that government provides technical know-how and coordinate activities to ensure they are being implemented according to standard guidelines, adding that the area is prone to dry spells but the knowledge that FUM is imparting to farmers will still help in realising bumper yields.
The KFW project started in 2021, aside the IHF, the project also promotes water, sanitation and hygiene practices as well as early childhood development activities.
