Mbilizi hands over equipment she says will cut costs and boost farmer competitiveness

Malawi has strengthened its drive to modernise agriculture with the distribution of 15 tractors and a full range of farming implements to cooperatives across the country as part of efforts to improve productivity and promote commercial farming.

The equipment was officially handed over by Minister of Agriculture Roza Fatch Mbilizi under the Malawi Food Systems Resilience Programme (MFSRP), a World Bank-supported initiative designed to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector and advance the goals of Malawi Vision 2063.

Alongside the tractors, beneficiary cooperatives received essential farming equipment, including ploughs, harrows, ridgers and trailers to improve land preparation, increase cultivation capacity and reduce the cost of production.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mbilizi said agricultural mechanisation remains a key pillar of Malawi’s long-term development strategy. She noted that improving access to modern farming equipment is critical to transforming agriculture from small-scale subsistence production into a competitive commercial sector capable of creating jobs, improving rural incomes and generating export earnings.

According to the minister, expanding mechanisation will enable farmers to cultivate larger areas of land more efficiently while improving productivity and strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural cooperatives in domestic and regional markets.

She encouraged the beneficiary organisations to properly manage and maintain the machinery to ensure it delivers long-term benefits. Responsible use and regular servicing, she said, will be essential to maximising the value of the investment and extending the lifespan of the equipment.

Mbilizi also acknowledged the support provided by the World Bank and other development partners in financing the programme, while commending farmer cooperatives for their continued commitment to improving agricultural production despite ongoing challenges facing the sector.

The tractor distribution comes as Malawi seeks to increase food production, reduce dependence on agricultural imports and improve resilience against climate-related disruptions. The government views mechanisation as a key tool for achieving sustainable agricultural growth while supporting the broader objectives of Malawi Vision 2063.

The Malawi Food Systems Resilience Programme is expected to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen agricultural productivity, improve food security and build more resilient farming systems as the country works towards a more modern and commercially driven agricultural economy.

Source: NyasaTimes