The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has urged researchers at Chitedze Agricultural Research Station to intensify efforts to help Malawi end hunger.
CGIAR Country Convener Akinwale Gbenga made the call during a handover ceremony of field and laboratory equipment worth US$295,000 (about K513.6 million). The donation includes a tractor, plant sprayers, mechanised planters, ploughs, and seed sowing machines.
“Today, we transfer not only equipment but potential, strengthening capacities and reaffirming our commitment to a food-secure and climate-resilient future for Malawi,” said Gbenga.
“Research equipment is critical for innovation and efficiency. This handover will upgrade facilities at the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), enabling scientists to work effectively in line with Malawi 2063 vision,”added Gbenga.
The donation is part of the Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) programme, funded by the German government through GIZ, which aims to modernise breeding stations, enhance staff capacity, and accelerate crop breeding cycles. CGIAR has collaborated with DARS since the 1980s on crop improvement, farming systems, policy, and capacity building.
Chitedze Station Manager and Mechanisation Committee Chair, Laurent Pungulani, welcomed the equipment, noting it will mechanise operations previously done manually, reduce labour costs, and speed up data collection.
“This will fast-track technology development and release, benefiting farmers sooner. Laboratory equipment will also accelerate soil and moisture analysis,” he said.
The 13 new pieces of equipment, including a 120-horsepower tractor, sprayers, ploughs, ridgers, and a modern planter, are expected to strengthen research capacity, drive innovation, and support Malawi’s agricultural productivity and food security ambitions under Vision 2063.
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