Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has commended Illovo Sugar Malawi for complementing the government’s effort to revive cotton production.
Kawale is in Chikwawa District to appreciate the efforts of the company in promoting cotton cultivation among smallholder farmers.
The visit coincides with the Goma Cotton Field Day, an event organised by the company in the Goma area in the district to showcase the progress of its cotton initiative.
He said the government has, so far, facilitated reduced prices of cotton farm inputs as part of rejuvenating cotton production.
According to Illovo Sugar Malawi Interim CEO, Kondwani Msimuko, the project targets 800 local cotton farmers on a 250 hectare land.
Msimuko said the company is implementing the project through its non-profit making organisation called ‘Striving Community’.
He said they are giving free cotton farming inputs and the farmers will return 70 percent of seeds after harvest, with a steady market for the yield.
This year, Illovo Sugar Malawi has set aside K1.7 billion for its cotton project and targets to generate $600,000 through exports.
The Illovo Sugar Malawi Cotton Project is part of the company’s broader strategy to diversify crops and increase income opportunities for rural communities across southern Malawi.
