By Wadza Botomani
The Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has urged students at Mzuzu University to actively participate in agriculture, emphasizing its role as the backbone of Malawi’s economy. The call was made during a public lecture titled “The Malawi We Want: Fostering Self-Reliance and Sustainable Development Through Agriculture,” held on Thursday night at the university.
The lecture highlighted agriculture’s critical importance, with the sector employing over 80% of Malawi’s population and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. Discussions focused on how academic programs at Mzuzu University are equipping students with skills in agricultural production, innovation, agribusiness, and value chain development to transform the sector.
Key government initiatives under President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s administration were also outlined, including the Agricultural Commercialization (AGCOM) Project, climate-smart agriculture programs, the Youth Innovation Fund, and the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF). These programs aim to boost productivity, enhance climate resilience, and create wealth through modernized agribusiness ventures.
Students engaged actively, raising pressing questions on access to financing, land ownership, job creation, technology adoption, market access, and policy support. The official commended their enthusiasm and encouraged them to take advantage of available opportunities, stressing that their involvement is crucial for building a self-reliant and sustainably developed Malawi.
The event concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to collaborative efforts in shaping a prosperous future for the country through agriculture. “Together, we can build the Malawi we want,” the official said.
