Tag Archives: Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM)

Agriculture, Malawi

Chakwera hosts farmers dinner: Urged to embrace innovation

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has called upon farmers to be innovative by focusing on non-food agricultural products such as cotton, and not only food crops, in order to achieve the country’s economic growth.

He was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe Friday, June 7, 2024 evening during a presidential dinner hosted for Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) leaders and members.

Chakwera said there is need for farmers to adopt new strategies in farming as the country imports a lot of products which can be locally produced.

“The government will continue supporting farmers so that they improve in production of agricultural commodities as agricultural sector plays a significant role on the global market”, he said.

He appreciated the farmers for the efforts they put in producing crops despite challenges they face in their fields.

FUM President, Maness Nkhata, expressed gratitude to the president for supporting efforts which farmers put in their work saying it is encouraging to farmers.

“We are pleased for the assistance we receive from government. As farmers, we are going to continue working for the betterment of country,” Nkhata said.

Source: MANA

Agriculture, Malawi

Chakwera dares farmers on proper storage, preservation practices adoption

MaraviPost

    
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has urged farmers to start adopting proper storage and preservation practices.

Chakwera made the remarks on Friday, June 7, 2024 during a meeting with Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) leaders and members at Kamuzu palace in Lilongwe.

“I urge you farmers to continue collaborating with the government across all sectors of agriculture to enhance the profitability and productivity of the industry.



“As a leader I will do my part in providing you with the necessary support that you need,” Chakwera said.

The President also stressed the need to improve production among farmers and transition from subsistence farming to large-scale, modern equipment-assisted farming for increased productivity aligning with the Malawi 2063 vision.

He further encouraged farmers to invest in the agricultural sector and assured them of government’s steadfast support in improving their livelihoods and fostering a conducive environment for farming nationwide.

The Malawi leader restated his government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the livelihoods of farmers and fortifying the agriculture sector in the country.

In his remarks , Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for irrigation, Jeffrey Mamba applauded the collaborative partnership between the government and farmers in advancing agricultural transformation.

FUM President, Maness Nkhata commended government’s dedication to revolutionise the agriculture sector.

“I am well pleased with the cooperative efforts between FUM and Ministry of Agriculture in complementing the President’s vision in achieving agricultural productivity and commercialization goal for 2063,” she said.

Nkhata also commended President Chakwera for various agricultural sector advancement and government’s sustainable initiatives such as the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) which benefits smallholder farmers in the country.

She appealed to the President for equitable distribution of resources to facilitate nationwide farmers access to initiatives such as the Agriculture Commercialisation Project, AIP and the establishment of Farmer’s Day, aimed at propelling the Agricultural sector and positioning Malawi as a food secure nation.

Chief Executive Officer of FUM, Jacob Nyirongo described the meeting as a significant milestone in cementing the relationship between government and farmers in the country.

“FUM members are committed in supporting your Excellency’s vision of making this country a self-reliant nation through initiatives like mega farms and import substitution,” he said.

Business, Environment

FDH gives Farmers Union 11, 000 seedlings to support tree planting activities

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-FDH Bank Plc has given Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) 11, 000 seedlings to support their tree planting activities within farmer groups.

Speaking during the symbolic handover ceremony in Lilongwe on Tuesday, the Bank’s head of corporate and institutional banking, Mary Jussab said they committed to plant one million trees by 2024 through various stakeholders including FUM, customers, partners and staff members in alignment with the Malawi 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“FDH Bank Plc recognizes the importance of a green environment and as a responsible corporate citizen has reinforced its commitment to champion a sustainable and resilient green environment that will foster the development of the country and nurture it against various environmental and economic forces.

“We also applaud the role that Farmers Union of Malawi is playing in supporting farmers across the country as well as promoting a green environment. Championing a sustainable environment is the key to a sustainable future in the agriculture sector, a progressive economy and for our wellbeing,” she said.

In his remarks, FUM president Mannes Nkhata commended FDH for the partnership saying farmers activities are regarded among the top environmental degrading aspects, and therefore need to take up a role in ensuring they restore the environment.

“FUM takes issues of reforestation and vegetative regeneration seriously and soon we will be launching our new Strategic Plan that will, among other things, promote climate-smart and sustainable agriculture systems. The partnership that we have with the FDH Bank is therefore already contributing towards this strategic direction,” she said.

Apart from adopting Chingale Hills Forest and sponsoring pro-green initiatives, FDH Bank also runs a “Be Green Smart Tree Planting Season Initiative”, where its staff members plant and nurture five trees each.

Agriculture, Top News

ATI’s FUM constructed, rehabilitated irrigation schemes excite Dedza farmers

Lloyd M’bwana

DEDZA-(MaraviPost)-Just a year after new irrigation schemes were constructed and rehabilitated at Traditional Authority (T.A) Kachindamoto in the central district of Dedza, farmers have already realized bumper harvest for commercial and consumption, thanks to Agriculture Transformation Initiative (ATI)’s funds channeled through Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM).

The intervention came after the schemes were damaged by flash floods Cyclone Idai caused in 2019 that many farmers lost farm produces.

This necessitated the need for recovery efforts that support households to build their livelihood and food security through multiple means.

The construction of Dzalanyama (10 hectors) and rehabilitation of Mgundu irrigation schemes at Mtakataka Extension Planning Area (EPA) and Gololoti EPA respectively have witnessed over 300 farmers smiling with dry season cropping.

Visiting farmers on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 that coupled with schemes handover ceremony  farmers who grew maize, vegetables including onion and tomatoes, proceeds from the production have helped them to be economically independent and food secure.

Some farmers have even built iron sheet houses, bough motor bike and saving funds for farm inputs ahead of rainy growing season.

Mgundu irrigation scheme chairperson Pierre Katola disclosed that has managed to buy motorbike and able save some funds for farm inputs ahead of rainy growing season.

Katola added that by the year 2022 will be able driving a car out of the irrigation farming.

“Just first dry growing season of 30 by 30 square meters piece, I have managed to realize funds to buy motor bike from tomatoes proceeds. Honestly, I dint expected this when we ventured into irrigation. We are much appreciation to ATI funds through FUM. FUM has helped us with quality seeds and extension services hence bumper harvest in all farmers, “excited Katola.

FUM President a Mr. Njolomole lauded farmers for adhering to extension services his organization provided for the successful first dry cropping season.

Njolomole assured farmers that FUM will do everything possible that initiative is fully supported for further livelihood improvement and food security.

ATI’s Malawi Country Director Dr. Candida Nakhumwa said rehabilitation of the two irrigation schemes align with his organization mission to prepare for a future of reduced tobacco demand.

Dr Nakhumwa says ATI is supporting the development of complementary structured value chains to make the agriculture sector globally competitive with supportive infrastructure and technologies.

“The two irrigation schemes are timely as will help farmers deal with water challenges for irrigation. Close to 500 farmers around these schemes will now be able to produce more than one crop per year, therefore improved their household food security and income,” says Nakhumwa.

With funding from Foundation for a Smoke-Free World about US$250,000 was earmarked for the project.

Agriculture, Top News

FUM engages media on seed bill review as Malawi embarks on agricultural transformation

Maravi Post Reporter

 

FUM Chief Executive Officer Prince Kapondamgaga

 

By Chikondi Manjawira

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) has emphasized on the need to engage and empower media with relevant information, if the media is to disseminate well packaged information to the general public on issues that matters such as agricultural transformation.

FUM Chief Executive Officer, Prince Kapondamgaga said this during the interface meeting his Union organized for media to appreciate the need of the 2018 Seed Bill in Mangochi on Monday.

Kapondamgaga said it is a commendable step in the right direction that Malawi has embarked on a reform agenda for the agricultural sector in line with the agricultural transformational initiative as espoused in the National  Agricultural Policy.

He however added that, the real meaningful  transformation in the agricultural sector will take place largely if the country significantly and sustainably invests in raising agricultural productivity. This therefore demands the need to a comprehensive and robust regulatory framework for the sub-sectors of seed and fertilizer to guarantee farmers access to quality improved technology to boost productivity and thereby increase production.

“It is against this background that Farmers Union of Malawi-FUM has partnered with government and other non-state actors (NSAs) including business journalists through the Association of Business Journalists-ABJ to dialogue on the seed bill.

“It is expected that business journalists will play a critical role to contribute to the development as well as dissemination of the Seed Act and other relevant pieces of legislation for public consumption. The media can only adequately play this role only if they have been an integral part of the consultative process and are empowered with relevant information on the same,” said Kapondamgaga.

Commenting on the significance of the interface meeting FUM organized with media, ABJ Secretary General, Taonga Sabola expressed his appreciation towards efforts made by the Union.

“We appreciate the efforts made by FUM to engage the media on such an important legislation. As you are aware the importance of agriculture to the economy of cannot be over emphasized. Often times we have seen bills been crafted with no input from the media but when it comes to communicating the contents to Malawians, they need us.

“It is our hope that various groupings would borrow a leaf from FUM to engage us on such important processes so that we know how best we can communicate with the citizenry, “said Sabola.

Some of the major issues included in the 2018 Seed Bill are the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms-GMO seeds, establishment of National Seed Commission and Variety Release Committee  just to mention a few. The bill intends to change some of the context of the existing law of Seed Act of 1996.

Human Rights, Malawi, Regional, Top News

Konrad hosts Malawi’s international conference on improved food security and land use rights for women

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The German’ Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation ( KAS) in collaboration with its Malawi cooperating partners will on Monday, February 26 to 27, host an international conference in the capital Lilongwe.

Along side with its partners including Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Landnet and Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC), Konrad conference is within the context of the special initiative “One world-No Hunger”.

The forum will focus on improved food security through strengthening land ownership and secure land use right for women in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The conference therefore aims at collecting knowledge and exchanging good practices from the three countries.

Addressing the news conference on Saturday ahead of the event, Stefanie Zraun, Namibia’s Konrad Program Manager-Adenauer-Stiftung says experts expect to explore how best to enhance synergies among land governance support agencies including CSOs, development partners and government agencies.

Zraun painted outstanding picture how chiefs in Nambia understand legal framework of their subjects in accessing land.

Echoing on the same, Landnet Malawi National Coordinator Emmanuel Mlaka expects participants to dwell much on effective policies and legal framework that support fully women and children access to land.

With key note address, “unlocking land ownership and land tenure rights for women across Africa’ patrilineal and matrilineal society; obstacles and progress, the conference attracts over 50 participants from traditional leaders, media, land governance and human rights experts and among others.

Malawi’s minister of lands, housing and urban development Anna Kachikho will grace the conference at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).

Since 2016, Konrad has been implementing activities with its partners to improve the secure and just access to land resources and land-use rights for women in Sub-Saharan Africa through improved legal and policy frameworks.