NPC Calls for Agriculture Industrialization for Legumes

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has expressed the need for Malawi to utilize the Africa Continental Free Trade Area by promoting agriculture industrialization for legume crop farmers to benefit.

NPC Public Relations Officer, Thom Khanje has told Zodiak that their institution is working with government and private institutions to promote the sector, in line with Malawi's developmental blue print, Vision 2063, saying legume farmers are losing a lot on the local market when selling raw products.

"As you recall, the Malawi vision 2063 is advocating for industrial revolution. If we continue selling our products on the local markets, the results will remain as it is for the farmers."

"We are working with our stakeholders to implement the plan which will boost our sales in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area which our country is a member," said Khanje.

An economic expert, Betchani Tchereni says district councils should take a leading role in the agricultural micro- industrialization drive to help in adding value to the crops.

He further has called on the national economic empowerment Fund (NEEF) to give loans to seekers with industrial ideas rather than trading proposals.

"As a country, it's important that we need to start implementing our plans. Let those that come with industrial plans at NEEF be awarded the loans, as it is the only way we are going to boost our exports," said Betchani Tchereni.

Agriculture accounts to over 40 percent of Malawi’s economy despite many farmers remaining poor due to unstable markets for their commodities.

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