By Burnett Munthali
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-On July 6, 2023, Malawi celebrated 59 years of independence but what has this country achieved so far? Is it worth celebrating our independence and what are we celebrating for?
First, the country achieved full independence, as Malawi, in 1964. After independence, Malawi was ruled as a one-party state under Hastings Banda until 1994.
Second, moving fast backward, under the colonial regime, roads and railways were built, and the cultivation of cash crops by European settlers was introduced. On the other hand, the colonial administration did little to enhance the welfare of the African majority, because of commitment to the interests of European settlers.
Third, Malawi is one of the world’s least-developed countries. The economy is heavily based on agriculture, and it has a largely rural and rapidly growing population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet its development needs, although the amount needed (and the aid offered) has decreased since 2000.
Fourth, Malawi faces continued challenges of deforestation, constrained water resources, declining fisheries, limited institutional capacity to manage natural resources, and farming practices that lead to soil erosion and reduced fertility, among others.
Fifth, moving fast backward again, colonialism’s impacts included environmental degradation, the spread of disease, economic instability, ethnic rivalries, and human rights violations—issues that could long outlast one group’s colonial rule.
Sixth, some positive historians have pointed out the positive effects of colonization as medicine, education, improved infrastructure, Christianity, and boundaries. The growth of the African population was aided by Western medicine introduced by Europeans. Africans were introduced to formal education by Europeans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, first, I think there is a need for accelerated economic growth that takes advantage of Malawi’s agricultural and natural resource potential and engages with companies and partners to expand markets, trade and exports, investments, access to credit to grow jobs, incomes, and micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in a manner.
Second, Malawi continues to rely on subsistence, rainfed agriculture, which limits its growth potential, increases its susceptibility to weather shocks, and creates food insecurity.
We need to move forward, away from the old traditional way of farming using hoes and then to mechanized farming.
Malawi must embark on irrigation farming seriously now. Unfortunately, we are still struggling in all areas at 59.
