LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera trip which he undertook in 2022 has brought positive results for the country and economy.
President Chakwera in 2022, went to Belgium where he met investors where he in their discussions told them that he wants well structured agricultural mechanised project for easy making of profits.
It was against this background that on Thursday Chakwera launched the Agricultural Mechanization Initiative which took place at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Speaking during the function PlChakwera commended Phillip Morris coming in to support the mechanization initiative.
The President was happy that the trip he went two years ago has started bearing fruits.
Chakwera urged those using the machines to take care of them so that other people using them are able to help other people.
The president urged the Ministry of agriculture to take care and make proper follow up on the initiative.
He said the initiative aims at increasing farmers profitability while protecting soil health.
The program aligns with the Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) Strategy – a brainchild of President Chakwera that seeks to achieve food security, stimulate job creation, and foster wealth creation with a strategic focus on enhancing productivity within the ATM sectors.
Chakwera said the machines being launched will help to restore the soil fertility.
The launch of the agricultural mechanization initiative is a clear demonstration of Government commitment in resolving challenges which the agricultural sector has been going through.
For example despite the importance of mega farms initiative , the sector faces numerous challenges, including an overdependence on rain-fed farming systems, limited absorption of improved technologies, and a lack of investment capacity in mechanization, among several others.
Against this backdrop, the Chakwera-led administration has decided to introduce the Agricultural Mechanization Initiative to empower smallholder farmers to adopt modern farming methods through the use of machines, thereby reducing labor costs.
The launch of the Agricultural Mechanization is is inline with various research which shows that Mechanization increases the power applied to agricultural operations and is one tool among many for improving farm productivity.
Mechanization also helps to lower costs and ensure timeliness of operations, allowing a greater area of land to be cultivated.
