Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba has challenged producers of roots and tubers to scale up production to meet local demand, particularly following the ban on the importation of various goods, including Irish potatoes.
Mumba made these remarks in Lilongwe during a dissemination workshop on root and tuber crop market information.
To boost the economy, Mumba said the country needs to increase production levels, which can enable it to also export more goods to other countries.
Second Secretary of the Embassy of Ireland in Malawi, Jacob Hansen-Shearer, said Ireland sees the roots and tuber sector as a key area that can support the economic transformation of Malawi.
Daud James Maulana, an Irish potato farmer from Dedza District, said farmers welcomed the ministry’s decision to ban the importation of Irish potatoes among other goods, citing that it will help local farmers who previously struggled to sell their produce due to market flooding by imported potatoes.
The disseminating workshop was held under the theme: Harnessing Malawi’s potential for roots and tuber crops for import substitution and economic transformation.
By Margaret Mapando
