MANAonline
Mwapata touts agricultural extension services
By Roselyn Phiri
Lilongwe, March 1, Mana: Mwapata Institute, in partnership with Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) and National Planning Commission (NPC) has implored stakeholders to strengthen policy actions regarding agricultural research and extension services in the country as one way of maximizing production.
Speaking at an Eminent Speaker Series in Lilongwe on Thursday, Executive Director for Mwapata Institute, William Chadza, said Malawi needs to invest more on local research institutions.
He emphasized that government, development partners and all agencies should invest more in local research institutions saying they have knowledge of the local needs and are in close and direct contact with local communities.
“Therefore, there is higher capability and chances that research and development will succeed if it is driven by local institutions. As such, the discussions were critical as the speakers pointed out a number of important issues on what needs to be done.
“The speakers pointed out that if we are going to move forward with agricultural development and economic growth in the country, at national level, we need to develop our research and extension systems particularly institutional capacity," he explained.
Head of Agricultural Extension Department at LUANAR, Dr Paul Fatch, said from the discussions it is very clear that extension is crucial.
He said the country cannot have productivity without extension with the adequate number of workers.
“We need to have extension workers who are adequately supported and have been given enough information and mandate to drive the transformation agenda," said Fatch.
NPC Director General, Dr Thomas Munthali, thanked Mwapata Institute for organizing such an event and government for recognizing the importance of research and extension services.
The Eminent Speaker Series was held to generate policy actions regarding agricultural research and extension services in the country.
CFTC proposes extra budget funding
By Levison Lester & Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, February 29, Mana: Executive Director for Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma, has asked the Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Industry, Trade and Tourism, Media, Information and Communication to lobby government for extra funding amounting to K400 million if the Commission is to serve Malawians better and effective.
Nkhoma made the remarks in Lilongwe on Thursday when he appeared before the cluster committee.
He justified the adjustment saying funds allocated are not enough to cushion the price of fuel and mobility challenges the Commission faces in undertaking its duties.
"Indeed we appeared before the cluster committee. Basically, this is a standard process where we annually come to present our budget and showcase to Parliament what we have achieved the previous year. We also lobby for additional funding if needed by showcasing the programme base focus of what we want to achieve as a Commission.
"Treasury has given us a budget of about K1.51 billion but looking at the programmes, and issues of currency alignment which has happened, and for us to be effective and deliver our mandate, we are proposing for additional K400 million to cushion some of the issues on our work," he said.
Nkhoma said, apart from easing mobility challenges, the request for extra funding to the current budget allocated by Treasury is justifiable as it will help in staff recruitment.
Co-Chairperson for the Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Industry, Trade and Tourism, Media Information and Communication, Susan Dossi, said the lobby for extra funding will happen only if CFTC clearly indicates how the proposed funding will be utilized.
"As a cluster committee, we were informed by CFTC that the budget announced last week is not enough and have asked us to lobby government for extra funding.
“Unfortunately, they have not indicated what they want to do with the extra funds. So, we have agreed for another meeting next week where they will indicate how the extra money will be used," she said.
Japan, Partners in Health sign K120 million grant contract
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, February 29, Mana: The Embassy of Japan and Partners in Health (Abwezi pa za Umoyo) have signed a grant contract amounting to K120 million for the provision of a Tuberculosis (TB) portable X-Ray machine for Neno District Health Office.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Thursday, Ambassador of Japan to Malawi, Yoichi Oya, expressed hope that the provision of the portable X-Ray machine will improve health environment in the district.
"Provision of this TB X-Ray machine will also enhance livelihood and lead the development of the country,” said Oya.
Oya highlighted that the grant is provided under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects for Japanese Government aimed at providing financial assistance to non-profit development organizations for implementing project at grassroots level.
Executive Director for Partners in Health, Basimenye Nlema, said the partnership that Neno District Council and Partners in Health have will go long way in ensuring that government's efforts towards elimination of TB by 2030 as outlined in the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Elimination Program strategy are on track.
"There will be timely and early detection of the disease and early TB treatment for patients since the service to help in diagnosis will be closer to people in need especially those suspected to have TB in Neno district,” she said.
District Commissioner for Neno, Rosemary Nawasha, expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Japan for continuously striving to enhance capacity and promote development in Malawi particularly in various sectors of government as well as at local district councils.
"Let me thank the government of Japan through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project for accepting and approving our grant proposal which Neno District Council co-submitted with its longtime partner, Partners in Health, two years ago. We are excited and grateful to be the recipient of the grant,” said Nawasha.
She added that Neno District faces challenges in delivery of accurate diagnosis and appropriate health services for infectious diseases such as TB hence the grant will go a long way in TB detection and treatment.
The machine will help in TB screening services, laboratory services using microscope and radiology services.
Mzuzu Youth Centre to be complete in July
By Tawonga Moyo
Mzuzu, February 29, Mana: Project Manager for DEC Construction Limited, which is constructing Mzuzu Youth Centre, Ellard Malonda, has revealed that the project, currently at 40 percent advancement stage, is expected to be completed in July this year.
Confirming the development in an interview on Wednesday, Malonda said they have been working on the foundation which was a massive task.
“We are expecting to finish this project by July 8, 2024. This project has been running in phases as the structure consists of several rooms. Currently, the foundation stage which consists of a library and an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre is done.
“The remaining sections will be easy for us to pull them up because, currently, we are above the ground floor and works above the ground are easily done than inside the ground,” said Malonda.
Malonda added that there have been some changes in the structural plan in that the volleyball, netball, basketball and tennis courts which were initially designed to be at the right side of the building have been moved to the left.
Director of Planning and Development for Mzuzu City Council (MCC), Monica Malota, said the Council understands the outcry by the youth in the city regarding the delay in completion of the project.
“We understand that the youth in Mzuzu expect the project to be completed as soon as possible, but we have experienced a few delays in its implementation with forex shortages and rains being contributing factors,” said Malota.
YPlus Mzuzu Coordinator, an association of young people living with HIV, Innocent Mbezuma, thanked government for the facility, saying youth in the city will finally have a place to call their own.
“Whenever we have activities, we are required to book a place. This facility will have everything we need such as an ICT centre and sports courts.
“These are no mean developments as they will help in boosting sports and technology in Mzuzu,” said Mbezuma.
Investors asked to adhere to environmental safeguards
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, February 29, Mana: District Forestry Officer for Chitipa, Sitwell Banda, has appealed to mining investors in Chitipa District to adhere to social and environmental safeguards when mining minerals in the district.
Banda said this on Tuesday during a district environmental subcommittee (DESC) meeting where a Malawian owned company, Gamba Mining Company, was briefing the committee on coal mining the company intends to venture into at Gamba in Traditional Authority (TA) Nthalire in the district.
“Wherever mining activities are done, issues of environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity and social interruption are always rampant if mitigation measures are not followed,” he said.
Banda asked Gamba Mining Company, and other investors, to share the final copies of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for easy monitoring of mitigation measures.
Environmental Officer for TDJ Investment, consultants for Gamba Mining Company, Dhliwayo Jere, said the mining company will produce 90 to 150 tons of coal per week.
Jere added that the project will cover a total area of 933 hectares with a time frame of not less than five years.
FUM urges farmers to cultivate drought resistant crops
By Glory Msowoya
Blantyre, February 29, Mana: Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) has urged farmers in the country to priorities cultivation of drought resistant and early maturing crop varieties in order to mitigate the impact of dry spells.
FUM President, Manes Nkhata, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview on Thursday that the recent dry spells have significantly affected crop fields, raising concerns of decreased production compared to the previous year.
Nkhata underscored the importance of farmers seizing the opportunity to plant crops with shorter maturity period, around 80 days, in view of the resumption of the rains after longer periods of dry spells.
"We are encouraging farmers to adopt soil and water conservation techniques and to utilize organic fertilizers in the coming season. For the current season, farmers must capitalize on the residual moisture by cultivating crops such as potatoes, cassava, peas and sorghum to make the most of the prevailing rains," Nkhata advised.
She assured farmers that the sudden transition in weather poses minimal risk to crops, noting that the rains will particularly benefit crops at critical growth stages requiring adequate moisture.
“Additionally, the replenishment of catchment areas and water bodies will ensure water availability for winter farming and irrigation purposes,” she said.
Assessing the impact of the recent rainfall on already drought-affected crops, agricultural expert, Leonard Chimwaza, explained that the outcome varies depending on the growth stage of the crops before the dry spells.
Chimwaza said some crops are more vulnerable to damage and benefit more from the recent rainfall.
"Dry spells have adversely affected maize crop at different growth stages. In areas where maize was at the tasseling stage, yields are expected to be severely compromised due to insufficient moisture. However, in regions where maize was still at the initial growth stages, the rainfall offers hope for crop recovery and potential yield improvement," Chimwaza said.
Chimwaza, therefore, advised farmers to implement agricultural practices and interventions aimed at maximizing positive effects of rainfall on crop growth and productivity.
Meanwhile, authorities from FUM are currently in the field conducting assessments to evaluate the impact of the dry spells and compile comprehensive findings from across the country.
Take care of information systems – Chakwera
By Monica Tambala
Lilongwe, February 29, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has called for diligence in managing the country’s digital information systems for government to serve its citizens effectively and efficiently.
He said it is important to secure information systems in accordance with prescriptions of the applicable laws and regulations of digital information systems whilst orienting all responsible officers of the proper guidelines to follow when under threat.
Speaking during a joint launch of the Land Information Management System (LIMS) and the Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS) in Lilongwe on Thursday, Chakwera said it is important to secure all computers and servers used in the registration of businesses and land.
“When we say our vision is to ensure that Malawians has enough food, access to financial inclusion and can access job opportunities, a proper procedure of registering businesses and the safety of information are some of the ways of attaining our goal.
“How can a youth increase his wealth if he can’t register his business?” the President bemoaned.
He demanded Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu, to work with the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, to ensure that the Department of E-Government and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) reach out to all government ministries, departments and agencies and institutions with legal guidelines of securing government data systems.
Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba, applauded LIMS as an efficient and effective solution to the challenges faced by Malawians in land acquisition processes.
“The system is providing a one stop platform as we migrate from paper based undertakings to the digital and automated whereby you can get all the information about land administration in the country.
“For decades, the land sector has been facing a lot of challenges. These are corruption, fraud, illegal transactions and many others just to mention a few, making land acquisition process and titling expensive leading to disappointment of many Malawians,” he said.
World Bank Country Director, Hugh Riddell, said the Bank is excited to support implementation of LIMS and the MBRS which are drivers of change and symbol of a collective commitment to fostering transparency, efficiency and growth in Malawi through digital transformation.
“The systems will empower government to manage land information with unprecedented precision and ease fostering better governance with equitable access to land resources.
“We anticipate that LIMS will safeguard land owners’ rights, including those of women, by ensuring accurate tenure records and legal recognition. Moreover, the systems transparency is a formidable deterrent to corruption and the catalysts for investment,” he said.
Flash floods claims life in Nkhotakota
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, February 29, Mana: One person has died and over 6,147 people have been displaced in the lakeshore district of Nkhotakota due to heavy rains that have caused flooding in the district since Tuesday night.
Presenting a preliminary report to the District Executive Committee (DEC), Nkhotakota District Council Economist, John Manda, said over four hired boats are carrying out search and rescue exercise in the areas of Traditional Authority (TA) Kanyenda, Mphonde and Malengachanzi in the district that have been heavily affected by the flash floods.
Manda reported that the area of TA Kanyenda, which is in the Dwangwa, as being the most affected with 4,985 victims.
He added that due to the high-speed flow of water in the area, it is difficult to send rescue boats hence over 203 people were still stranded in unreachable affected areas.
Manda indicated that so far one person has died, a guard at Victorious Lodge at Dwangwa, when a canoe that was coming from rescuing some victims capsized.
Director of Planning and Development for Nkhotakota District Council, Davies Kavalo, has called on stakeholders to come in and assist with donations of foodstuff, clothes, sanitary facilities, shelters and other forms of support to help with the rescue and settlement of affected people in the district.
Kavalo said this is a preliminary report because search and rescue activities are still ongoing as the rains and flooding are still happening in the area.
He indicated that the Malawi Defense Force had arrived in the district to assist in the search and rescue of people in the affected areas.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) issued a press release on Wednesday on the flash floods happening in the districts of Karonga and Nkhotakota and is since providing support to the affected communities.
Men encouraged to go for HIV testing
By Martha Simchimba
Lilongwe, February 29, Mana: Lilongwe District Council Vice Chairperson, Dominic Banda, has urged men in the district to go for HIV testing and counselling in large numbers as they rarely seek such services.
Banda made the call on Wednesday at Miseu Four Community Ground in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Njewa during the joint World AIDS Day and Candle Light Memorial.
Banda said World AIDS day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment in the country.
"This day provides a platform to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and also honour lives affected by the epidemic. Let me take this opportunity to urge men, and everyone, to go for HIV testing in order to know their serostatus and prevent the disease,” he said.
Banda said the country should not look down on people living with the virus as this reduces their self-esteem.
A Nurse at John Hopkins, Saviour Mwandira, said it is encouraging that the country is doing well in combating the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Mwandira said, as an organization, they are implementing 95-95-95 goals in collaboration with government to encourage people in the country to know their status and be on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) to boost their immune system and be able to contribute to the country’s development.
“Let me take this opportunity to encourage people to start using oral quick response, a self-test kit for HIV, if they are shy visiting HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) services,” said Mwandira.
Ester Misanjo, who is HIV positive, called upon those who are on ART to continue taking the medication for them to live longer.
“I tested HIV positive in 2004 and I am still strong because I have been following the hospital’s instructions,” she said.
During the event a minute of silence was observed to remember those who died of the disease.
Several NGOs such CEDEP, Pakachere, UNC and National AIDS Commission graced the event and showcased what they are doing in fighting HIV and AIDS in the country.
This year’s World AIDS day was commemorated under the theme “Let the communities lead in spreading love and showing solidarity in ending AIDS".
Journalists asked to be proactive in fisheries reporting
By George Mponda
Mzuzu, February 29, Mana: Chairperson for Association of Environmental Journalists (AEJ) in Malawi, Matthews Malate, has urged journalists from districts along the lakeshore to be proactive in reporting fisheries issues.
Speaking in Mzuzu Tuesday at the opening of a five-day fisheries media training organised by PACT-Malawi under a project called ‘Restoring Fisheries and Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi’ (REFRESH), Malata said the media plays an important role in fisheries in the country.
Malata said; "Before REFRESH project, it was rare to see journalists writing stories concerning fisheries but now, through various interventions under the project, fisheries issues across the country are being reported.”
"However, there are still gaps. That's why trainings such as these are important to make sure that journalists are reporting from an informed point of view," he added.
Principal Fisheries Officer responsible for research at the Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Salim Mb'alaka, hailed the project for its unwavering support towards fisheries department in Malawi.
"Indeed, such trainings are important to media practictioners for them to engage officials and properly bring out information to the public which will benefit the industry in our country," M'balaka said.
Mb'alaka also hailed REFRESH project for donating a patrol boat to the fisheries department in Salima and for funding a recent biomass fish troll survey conducted by government.
One of the participants, District Information Officer for Nkhata Bay, Chisomo Kambandanga, said fisheries is an important sector that contributes to the livelihoods of people but it is under threat through various forms of malpractices.
"There is illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing which is having adverse effects on fish that Malawians depend on for food, nutrition and their livelihoods. Journalists need to take an active role in ensuring the fisheries industry is sustained," said Kambamdanga.
