Chakwera commits to work with farmers

By Kondanani Chilimnthaka

President Lazarus Chakwera has said he is committed to work with farmers in the country to ensure that they benefit from agricultural activities and policies his government is implementing.

Chakwera made the commitment on Friday, 7th June 2024 during an audience he had with farmers through the umbrella body of Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM).

Speaking during the audience, President Chakwera assured farmers that he will continue to work with them and do what he can, that agricultural mechanisms and policies are involving them.

“You voted for me to bring desirable change to the agricultural sector. I am not going to leave you because you voted for me as President to promote your farming.

So I committed myself to serve you, and I will make sure you are profiting from your farming” Said President Chakwera.

Chakwera emphasized on the need for value addition to the country’s farm products to reduce poverty by among others getting better prices and offering employment to citizenry.

He then appealed for all farmers to hold hands with the government to make sure they are maximizing benefits on farm products through various government initiatives like mechanized and irrigation farming in attaining 2063 vision.

In his remarks, Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Geoffrey Mamba, representing Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, described the event as exciting and memorable to the Ministry, having escorted its own brainchild, FUM to the President.

Mamba said the working relationship since 2004 has been about collaboration, dialoguing, and synergy building in order to enhance inclusive agricultural growth and transformation.

Making her presentation, Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) President, Manes Nkhata thanked President Chakwera for granting farmers an opportunity to have an audience with him, saying it signifies his commitment towards agricultural transformation in Malawi.

“Among others we requested for this meeting to convey our thanks to your government for the support that you have been rendering to the farmers, and agriculture sector, and also to present to you some areas we feel should be done to enable our country to attain the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 agenda through the first pillar of the agriculture productivity and commercialization” said Nkhata.