In a bid to revive Malawi’s banana industry and reduce import dependency, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba today hosted the inaugural Malawi Banana Growers Conference in Lilongwe.

Addressing an audience of government officials, farmers, financial institutions, and private sector representatives, Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, emphasized the need to transition from reliance on imports to self-sustained agricultural growth. 

“This conference marks a significant milestone in our country’s journey towards agricultural transformation, food sovereignty, and economic resilience. We must harness our fertile soils, skilled farmers, and aligned policies to strengthen banana production,” he said.

The minister mentioned recent government efforts, including the amendment of the Control of Goods Regulations, which temporarily restricts food imports that can be locally produced, describing them as a strategic opportunity to encourage domestic agricultural productivity.

Mumba also outlined the major challenges facing Malawi’s banana sector, including the devastation caused by the banana bunchy top virus, lack of structured investments, and the impact of unregulated imports on local growers. 

To counter these setbacks, the conference aimed to establish a National Banana Growers Platform, promote financing models tailored for farmers, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to build a resilient banana value chain.

“We must shift from policy declarations to tangible commitments that deliver results,” Minister Mumba declared, urging farmers, financiers, and development partners to actively support this initiative.

The conference, featuring panel discussions and expert-led workshops, set the foundation for sustainable interventions that will elevate Malawi’s banana industry, ensuring farmers benefit from improved market access and industrial opportunities.

We Didn’t Ban Banana Exports

On a different note, Mumba disclosed that the government reversed the decision to ban imports of bananas after realizing that local growers had no capacity to meet the national demand.

He said currently Malawi imports no less than 7000 tons of bananas a  week.

“Over 500 trucks enter the country to deliver bananas from neighboring countries. About 200 trucks in Blantyre; 150 in Lilongwe and 90 in Mzuzu,” he said. “Currently, we are not producing enough.

Mumba said it was encouraging that some major shops like Shoprite and Chipiku are now buying bananas from local farmers.

Banana grower Frank Washoni said, while local farmers are trying hard to improve production, limited access to finances and equipment is a major challenge.

“Banana is an investment crop. When you plant, it takes about a year for you to start reaping the benefits. This is what banks need to understand, and be flexible when providing us with their terms and conditions,” he added.  

Malawi’s banana production took a nose-dive around in the mid-90s due to Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD), caused by Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), which was first observed in the country in 1994 in Nkhotakota district.  

BBTD has had a devastating impact on Malawi's banana industry, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers and impacting food security, contributing to a 90% loss of banana crop stands.

Presently, Malawi is actively implementing various strategies to combat BBTD, including the use of tissue culture planting materials, awareness campaigns, and the establishment of nurseries and demonstration plots.

Additionally, there's a focus on disease management practices, such as the prompt removal and burning of infected plants, along with the use of insecticide treatments which have led to a steady increase in production lately.