By Chisomo Phiri
A youth-led farmers’ organization,Business Agriculture Malawi (BAGMA), has called on president Arthur Peter Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government to continue and strengthen agricultural programs started by previous administrations while introducing new strategies to achieve the Malawi 2063 Vision’s goal of agricultural productivity and commercialization.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News,the organization’s Director Blessings Malefula argued that no country has ever achieved meaningful development without a strong agricultural foundation, stressing that agriculture is the ‘seed’ of every thriving economy.
He cited global examples such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, where agriculture played a central role in industrial growth and urbanization.
Malefula added that the Malawi 2063 Vision rightly identifies agricultural productivity and commercialization as key to achieving industrialization and urbanization, warning that neglecting the sector would hinder progress in all other areas of the economy.
“History has shown that Malawi’s economy thrives when the agriculture sector is strong,” he said, pointing to the Kamuzu Banda and Bingu wa Mutharika eras as examples of growth driven by agriculture.
He said however, despite its potential, Malawi continues to struggle with food insecurity and poor performance in agriculture.
Malefula blamed misplaced priorities and overreliance on the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), which he said has overshadowed broader agricultural development efforts.
He also bemoaned the decline in extension services, limited mechanization, lack of value addition industries, and increasing loss of arable land to foreign investors, which has left many Malawians landless.
Malefula therefore appealed to President Mutharika’s administration to adopt and sustain all progressive agricultural initiatives, regardless of who started them, and to introduce new measures that can unlock Malawi’s agricultural potential.
He urged government to revive agricultural research institutions such as Chitedze, Bvumbwe, Makoka, and Kasinthula, and to adequately support the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET).
Malefula also called for the revitalization of Agricultural Development Divisions (ADDs), District Agricultural Offices (DADOs), and Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) to ensure research and extension services reach farmers effectively.
He further demanded tighter regulation of uncertified seeds, fertilizers, and other products on the market.
Malefula expressed support for the continuation of the AIP for underprivileged farmers but suggests reducing its scope to free up resources for other agricultural programs.
He advocated for the expansion of megafarms across the country and the transformation of the Megafarms Support Unit into a standalone institution with branches in all ADDs.
Malefula also recommended merging the Greenbelt Authority with the Megafarms Unit for efficiency, decentralizing financing programs like MAIIC and AGCOM, and strengthening the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to provide more agricultural loans.
He also emphasized the need for a robust transport network, including roads, railways, and water transport, to connect districts and facilitate the movement of farm produce.
He urged the government to continue investing in irrigation dams and solar-powered schemes, speed up the Shire Valley Transformation Project, and introduce agriculture and agribusiness courses in community and technical colleges.
Malefula also called for the revival of ADMARC, decentralization of the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), fair farm gate pricing, and stronger market oversight by the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS).
He further encouraged the government to promote agro-processing and industrialization by creating incentives that enable farmers to engage in value addition, thereby creating jobs, generating foreign exchange, and supporting urban development.
He said they also want the cost of fertilizers, seeds, and farm equipment reduced to make mechanization and irrigation more affordable for small and medium-scale farmers.
While acknowledging the importance of foreign direct investment, Malefula insisted that indigenous Malawians must remain at the forefront of the agriculture sector.
He called for strict regulations on foreign ownership of farmland and urged that foreign investors operate through partnerships with Malawians to protect national interests.
Malefula reaffirmed the BAGMA’s commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to realize the Malawi 2063 Vision through a strong and inclusive agricultural sector.
Established in 2018, BAGMA is made up of young farmers and agricultural activists working across Malawi in production and advocacy.
The organization promotes sustainable agriculture, irrigation, mechanization, technology use, and environmental conservation, with the goal of turning Malawi’s agriculture sector into a driver of wealth creation, job opportunities, and food and nutrition security.
