LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The just first ever launched Malawi’s National Fertilizer Policy is expected to regulate the industry with possible and bankable investors which will make product easily accessible with cheaper prices on the local market.
The policy will also help government to tame counterfeits fertilizers which many farmers have been subjected to but authorities lacked backing legal framework to deal with defrauders.
Agriculture Minister Robin Lowe told the Maravi Post after the launch of the policy in the capital Lilongwe on Thursday, April 8, 2021 that draft bill of the will be soon prepared for tabling and passing it into law in Parliament.
Lowe observed that the fight against counterfeit fertilizers has been a loosing battle as Malawi lacked legal framework to deal with perpetrators.
He assured the nation that with the policy in place will attract serious investors for manufacturing fertilizers saying Malawi only two blending companies.
“The policy is guarding tool for fertilizer industry to enhance agriculture production towards sustainable food security. With the policy in place, the nation should expect serious and bankable investors for cheap manufacturing easy and affordable fertilizers,” assures Minister Lowe.
Fertilizer Association of Malawi Chairperson Jimmy Dimitri Giannakis said the policy will improve the fertilizer industry for soil enrichment for improved agriculture production.
Giannakis therefore urged stakeholders in fertilizer industry to support the legal framework put in place for better agriculture production.
The department of Agriculture Research Services (DARS) is expected to conduct research on developing fertilizer technologies,soil testing, producing soil fertility and fertilizer maps for area and crop specific fertilizer formulations.
“DARS will conduct research that enhances the quality of fertilizers and blends produced and used in Malawi that academic institutions including Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Mzuzu University will be providing advanced training in fields fertilizers to ensure that Malawi has the needed expertise,” reads part of the policy’s documents.