As Malawi’s 2063 agenda champions agricultural transformation aimed at shifting from subsistence, rain-fed farming to a commercialised, climate-resilient and diversified sector that enhances productivity, creates jobs, and reduces poverty, scientists say the newly launched Global Action Transformation Agricultural Centre will play a vital role in supporting the country’s drive to improve livelihoods.
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel Kaunda, hailed the state-of-the-art Agricultural Transformation Centre — handed over to LUANAR by the Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) in partnership with Global Action to End Smoking at NRC in Lilongwe — as a major milestone, noting that it will accelerate Malawi’s agricultural development, food security, and innovation.
Kaunda emphasised LUANAR’s commitment to positively impact surrounding farming communities and the agricultural sector, particularly through services like soil analysis offered at the centre.
He urged farmers to utilise the laboratories, noting that pricing will be tiered to accommodate both subsistence and commercial farmers.
“Our goal is to ensure access to these laboratories is affordable and reasonable, so smallholder farmers from anywhere can test their soils for improved productivity,”.
He added that the centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing solutions to challenges in the agricultural sector by facilitating collaboration among students, farmers and researchers.
CAT Executive Director, Macleod Nkhoma, highlighted soil depletion as one of the challenges reducing agricultural productivity in Malawi.
He stressed that soil testing and tailored solutions are critical to achieving soil health and urged them to get their soils tested for improved productivity.
“Soil health is vital in agriculture and farmers must prioritise it. In Malawi, our soils are heavily depleted, meaning even with fertiliser, productivity is significantly compromised,” Nkhoma explained,
Global Action Executive to End Smoking Board Chairperson, Pamela Parizek, underscored the centre’s significance for Malawians, many of whom depend on tobacco farming.
Parizek said that the centre advocates for agricultural diversification as global demand for combustible tobacco is declining offering Malawians opportunities for economic growth without heavy reliance on tobacco exports.
She said Global Action to End Smoking’s primary goal is to promote smoking cessation and healthier lifestyles.
However, according to her, this shift could economically impact countries like Malawi, which rely heavily on tobacco exports, as declining demand poses challenges for farmers.
Vice President and Country Director for Global Action to End Smoking – Agricultural Transformation Initiative (GA-ATI), Candida Nakhumwa, commended farmers transitioning to crops such as sunflower, soybean, and sugarcane and has since encouraged them to continue this shift for the betterment of their livelihoods and the country’s economy.
The Global Action Agricultural Transformation Centre, to be known as the GAT Centre, will expand LUANAR’s research and outreach capacity, benefiting farmers, students, and researchers while advancing agricultural transformation in Malawi
By Trinity Kaphamtengo, Lilongwe
