The United Nations, (UN) Resident Coordinator in Malawi Rebecca Addah Dontoh says food insecurity is a big issue in Africa which requires countries including Malawi to promote sustainable measures to promote agriculture and rural livelihood.

Speaking after visiting some farmers at Mpemba Milk Bulking Centre in Blantyre, who benefited from Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship, (TRADE) Programme, Dontoh said the UN will continue supporting programs that are aimed at transforming people’ lives and protecting the environment.

She said more needs to be done to enhance agriculture and food systems.

"Food insecurity is a big issue across Africa especially SADC and Malawi, so Agriculture as you know is a first pillar of Malawi 2063 but also the first pillar of Malawi's ATMM strategy.

"So, agriculture is very important but not just agriculture but also food systems and that is what we have done here at Mpemba in Blantyre," said Dontoh.

She added that it is encouraging that through TRADE Programme, farmers are producing feed for animals, using animal's waste to produce bio gas, protecting the environment and ensure that dairy farmers have reliable markets.

Trade Program Value Chain and Agri business Specialist, Linda Magombo Munthali said the interventions which they have been implementing have played a significant role in uplifting lives of rural communities.

"The progress is good, we were able to take the UN Resident Coordinator to appreciate the value chain which the TRADE Programme is using, increasing farmers production and supporting them to protect the environment,"  said Magombo Munthali.

She added that TRADE has Also been constructing roads and grading rural roads for farmers' easy access to markets.

Treasurer of Mpemba Milk Bulking centre, Catherine Kamtembe thanked TRADE for supporting them to achieve self reliance.

"The project constructed  Nansundu, Matope and Kadzuwa bridges and rehabilitating our roads and we are selling our milk at good prices, we no longer wait for money from our husbands to address some family issues, we are self reliant," said Kamtembe.

The sentiments were made when Dontoh visited Mpemba milk bulking centre to appreciate TRADE programme which is running a six year program in 11 districts worth $125 million Dollars.