Zortrax Agriculture Corporation, a multinational company, has announced a K15 billion investment over the next 20 years to boost Malawi’s agriculture sector through innovation, inclusivity and sustainable development.

Speaking in Lilongwe, after a meeting with officials from the ministry of Agriculture, the company’s Southern Africa Expansion and Investment Director Zahra Zianab Ibrahim said the initiative will support women and youth entrepreneurs with funding, training and mentorship to grow their agribusiness ventures.

The corporation also plans to promote greenhouse farming to enhance productivity and strengthen climate resilience for farmers.

"We are also set to establish tree nurseries and commercial forestry through the Zortrax Forestry Group focusing on youth participation which will create sustainable income and address climatic shocks," she added.

According to Ibrahim they will also construct agribusiness raw foods processing factories to ensure that what is grown in Malawi to scale up the country's value addition.

Jim Kachidede, Zortrax’s operations manager in Malawi, described the pledge as a significant milestone in advancing the nation’s socio-economic growth.

He added that investing in agriculture addresses fundamental human needs while simultaneously offering significant economic, social, and environmental benefits describing the Zortrax initiative as critical for sustainable development.