ATM Strategy for Socio-Economic growth of Malawi

By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

President Lazarus Chakwera’s State Of the Nation Address delivered in Parliament on Friday 9th February 2024 has focused on Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) strategy as a ladder for the country’s socioeconomic growth, calling on all Malawians to be serious in prioritizing the three.

Delivering what has been described as country’s one best and powerful SONA in a number of years, President Chakwera told the nation that the way to achieve food security, job creation, and wealth creation in the shortest time possible is to boost productivity in Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining sectors as priorities.

On Agriculture, the President said maize remains the primary traditional source of food security, hence a targeted 1.5 million farmers to benefit from the AIP with a projection of 1,125,000 Metric Tonnes this season, adding that the establishment of Mega Farms has helped to boost food security both through rain-fed and irrigation mechanization farming.

“In collaboration with the Malawi Defence Force and the Malawi Prisons, my administration coordinated the production of 373 Metric Tonnes of maize for restocking of our strategic grain reserves. Similarly, the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) cultivated 103 hectares of maize on Illovo, while Dwangwa Farm produced 700 Metric Tonnes of maize. Additionally, my administration successfully launched two cooperative-based Mega-farms at Linga in Nkhata-Bay with 450 hectares dedicated to rice. We also established a full-time Mega-farm Support Unit at Kanengo here in Lilongwe which has mobilized 560 farmers managing a combined total of 18,000 hectares for cultivation of crops under the off-taker agreement with reputable companies” said the President.

Turning to Tourism, President Chakwera told the nation that the sector continues to perform below its potential due to obstacles caused by other sectors.

However, Chakwera said his administration is on course of promoting the sector by among others increasing the number of airlines traveling to Malawi, designing a Malawi Flight Plan for increased air access, and working on bilateral Air Service Agreements with some countries like Mozambique, Uganda, and Kuwait among others. He also told the nation that government has acquired a 52.7 hectares of beach land in TA Maganga for Salima Integrated Hotel and Resort.

The President then said the repealing of the Mines and Minerals Act has helped to bring sanity to and creating wealth from the Mining Sector.

Meanwhile, various social and economic commentators continue to applaud President Chakwera for the SONA.