Tag Archives: Kawale

Agriculture

Malawi commits to sustainable Agriculture: Minister Kawale reaffirms support for farmers

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has reiterated the government’s dedication to building a robust agro-based economy, capable of meeting the country’s food needs throughout the year. Kawale made the remarks in Chikwawa, during the conclusion of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) fertilizer loan distribution project, which benefited farmers from the Southern Region.

The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, ensuring agricultural profitability, and long-term food security. “By providing farmers with access to essential inputs, we are empowering them to thrive and contribute significantly to national food security,” Kawale explained. This statement underscores the government’s recognition of the critical role farmers play in Malawi’s economy.

The NEEF fertilizer loan distribution project has been a resounding success, with over 36,000 farmers benefiting from the initiative during its first and second phases.

This was revealed by NEEF Chief Executive Officer Humphrey M’dyetseni, who highlighted the project’s impact on the agricultural sector.

Kawale’s reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture is in line with Malawi’s vision of transforming its agricultural sector. As reported earlier, Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural transformation and ensuring food security for its citizens.

The Minister’s remarks also underscore the importance of supporting farmers through initiatives like the NEEF fertilizer loan distribution project.

By providing farmers with access to essential inputs, the government is enabling them to increase productivity, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to national food security.

As Malawi continues to navigate the challenges of climate change, poverty, and food insecurity, the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture is a step in the right direction.

The country’s agricultural sector has the potential to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.

In his capacity as Minister of Agriculture, Kawale has been instrumental in promoting agricultural development in Malawi.

His leadership has been marked by a commitment to supporting farmers, improving agricultural productivity, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

As the country looks to the future, it is clear that sustainable agriculture will play a critical role in driving economic growth, improving food security, and reducing poverty.

With the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and promoting agricultural development, Malawi is poised to make significant strides in achieving its agricultural transformation goals.

Minister Kawale’s reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture is a welcome development.

As Malawi continues to navigate the challenges of agricultural development, it is clear that the government’s support for farmers will be critical in driving economic growth, improving food security, and reducing poverty.

Human Rights, Law and order

Refugees beat business people in Malawi

Patience Mandowa

Eight out of 10 rice mills in Mchesi, Lilongwe are owned by foreign nationals whom the locals believe are refugees from Dzaleka Camp in Dowa, according to our findings.

The foreign nationals have also infiltrated other townships such as Area 23, 24, 25, Kawale, Likuni and Devil Street.

Some of the grocery shops also selling farm produce
Their activities are causing resentment among the small-scale local business people who feel they are being unfairly squeezed out of business by people with whom they cannot compete with.

A Mchesi resident, Phillip Mwale, claimed in an interview on Tuesday that he closed his grocery business because of the increasing number of ‘refugees’ mostly Burundians, Rwandans and Congolese who, among other businesses, run rice mills, liquor shops and bottle stores.

“We cannot compete with these people because they buy their merchandise with the rations they receive as refugees at Dzaleka and sell them at cheaper prices. It is not surprising that they have taken over all businesses in the township,” said Mwale who has a family to support.

Another Mchesi resident Msayiwale Gwesele, who is in the same predicament as Mwale, described the trend as a ticking time bomb for the government.

He said the situation is causing resentment among locals, who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Gwesele recollects an incident, a few years ago, that led to chaos in the area. He said a Burundian allegedly killed a Malawian in cold blood during a fight.

He says following the incident, locals went on rampage, looting shops belonging to foreigners and police had to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to quell the situation.

Said Gwesele: “Everything may look peaceful now but it may take a small incident and the whole township may be on fire. The situation needs urgent attention before it is too late.”

Mchesi Market is divided into three blocks, according to ‘chieftaincy’ and a block leader, Abiti Umali, suspects that there are over 120 foreigners running businesses in her area.

But she blamed the locals for selling land and houses to the foreign nationals.

Said Umali: “It is not a secret that this township is keeping a lot of foreigners and their way of life has become so normal here.

We see them buying houses and building new ones, start small businesses and within a few months they open more shops.”

Mwale and Gwesele accused authorities of turning a blind eye to the burgeoning number of foreigners sneaking into the city and crowding locals out of business.

In an interview last Wednesday, Immigration Department and Citizenship Services spokesperson Joseph Chauwa acknowledged the existence of foreign nationals in the township.

He said a lot of them do not have business and residence permits.

“But we play our rightful role of monitoring, tracking, apprehending, prosecuting, deporting and repatriating illegal immigrants to promote security of the country and safeguard employment for Malawians,” explained Chauwa.

He said in 2015 the department arrested 1 912 illegal immigrants in Lilongwe; 1 422 in 2016 and 883 last year.

The police have also admitted being aware of the rising number of foreigners in the city and that law enforcers will continue to provide security where necessary.

In an interview on Thursday, National Police deputy spokesperson Thomeck Nyaude said: “We don’t have powers to stop them from residing in townships. That is the responsibility of the Immigration Department. But if they commit a crime, we arrest them.”

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism spokesperson Wiskes Nkombezi observed that it is illegal for non-Malawians to operate a business without a licence.

He confirmed that a number of businesses in Mchesi and other townships do not have licences.

Nkombezi disclosed that very soon the ministry in collaboration with the city council, police and Department of Immigration will mount a sweeping exercise in all townships to kick out all such people.

He said: “It doesn’t matter whether they are Burundians, Nigerians, Indians, Chinese, if they are doing that in contract.

Top News

Chilima calls for accountability and transparency in registering affected households

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Vice president Dr Saulos Chilima has called for transparency and accountability in identifying and registering affected households in the Lilongwe flooding disaster.

The vice president made the call Sunday when he visited one of the affected area in Kaliyeka where 1,000 people have been displaced and 202 households have been affected and six people have been killed.

Chilima said those entrusted in registering and assessing the affected households should discharge their duties with impartiality at all cost.

“We have observed that in times of such disasters some people take advantage to abuse their positions and victimize and mistreat affected and innocent individuals for their personal gains.” the Vice president pointed out.

He warned that those people once are found they would be arrested and government would not tolerate such malpractice to be encouraged when distributing emergency relief.

Chilima said affected household need to receive what government has set to provide to them and not some take advantage to give them insufficient amounts of relief items.

“If the affected household are to receive 50 kg of maize no one should give them 30 kg and the remaining Kgs keep for themselves in order to sale it ” he noted.

The Vice President who is also responsible for Department of Disaster management Affairs, (DODMA) spelt the need to encourage residents to be sanitized on the dangers environment degradation.

He said some of the flooding which is being experienced in Lilongwe is as a result of environment degradation and encroachment of the river banks by residences.

“As you can see the water was over flooded due to heavy downpour but the river had to space to breathe as a results it finds its way through the houses which constructed were close to the river banks and there no way one could escape from such calamities,” Chilima observed.

He pointed out that issues of environmental degradation would be hinted in Nsanje on Wednesday when we would be launching 2017/18 National Disaster Respond Plan for the country.

Government has pledged to made of the provision for the six people that have being killed a result of flooding which include four males and two females and affected areas include Kawale, Mchesi, Chipasula, Kaliyeka, Areas 22 and 24.

Flooding hit the areas around 6:30 pm on Saturday and swept all the houses which were built within the river bank where lives were was lost, houses destroyed and various properties damaged in the process.

The preliminary assessment are indicating that 202 household have been affected and the assessment is still being carried out expressing fears that the number might increase.

Malawi Red Cross Society, Lilongwe City Council and DODMA officials are currently underway assessing the situation on the ground and affected households.

Temporary shelters were being erected in order to help the affected household to avert the still heavy down pour which has hit Lilongwe the past week.

Similar floods are said to have occurred in the same area in 2012 but the magnitude of the damage was minimal as compared to this time around.

Officials from various organizations such Malawi Red Cross Society, Lilongwe City Council and DODMA officials are currently assessing the situation and registering affected households.