Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Thoko Tembo, says supporting farmers with modern agricultural equipment and infrastructure marks a decisive shift in government’s efforts to transform Malawi’s agriculture from subsistence to commercial production.
Tembo made the remarks at Hambahamba Village, Traditional Authority Kachenga in Balaka District when he handed over a tractor and its accessories to Kapesa Farmers’ Cooperative, and a warehouse to Muthe Farmers’ Cooperative.
He also presented 40 motorcycles to Agricultural Extension Development Officers to address longstanding mobility challenges that have limited effective frontline service delivery.
Tembo said the motorcycles will enable extension workers to reach farmers more consistently and on time, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
All the equipment and infrastructure were procured under the World Bank-funded Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) 2 Project.
Tembo said the mechanisation and infrastructure support are not just assets, but critical tools for boosting productivity, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening farmers’ participation in formal markets.
“Agriculture remains Malawi’s economic anchor, contributing nearly 30 percent to the GDP and employing over 80 percent of the population. However, without proper storage facilities and mechanisation, farmers will continue to lose value and remain trapped in low productivity,” he said.
The Deputy Minister added that access to adequate storage enables farmers to bulk their produce, meet market standards and negotiate better prices, while the tractor will significantly ease land preparation and improve the timeliness of farming operations.
AGCOM National Coordinator Ted Nakhumwa said the programme has so far supported more than 264 Productive Alliances with approximately K19 billion disbursed in marching grants.
During the visit, Tembo also toured Chinkhwamba Goat Producers and Marketing Cooperative in Chipinga Village, Traditional Authority Kapalamula in the district. The cooperative received K156 million from AGCOM, which it used to purchase goats and construct a goat kraal, among other investments.
By Doreen Sonani
