Malawi is stepping up its agricultural game, focusing on reviving what was once one of its staple crops: bananas. This initiative, spearheaded by the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) and the Centre for Agriculture Transformation (CAT), is aimed at not just improving local banana production but also reducing dependence on banana imports which currently amount to around 20,000 metric tonnes annually, costing the nation approximately $12 million.
The partnership between NBM and CAT saw the bank committing K90 million, roughly equivalent to $110,000, to facilitate the planting of new banana varieties and bolster the resilience of this vulnerable sector.
Harold Jiya, the Chief Executive Officer of NBM, expressed excitement about the collaboration. He pointed out, “This partnership with CAT will not only help revive the struggling banana industry but will also reduce our reliance on imports, which puts pressure on our economy.” The emphasis from the bank is clearly on empowering local banana farmers, providing them with new technologies and varieties to improve their yields.
On the other side of the partnership, McCloud Nkhoma, the Executive Director of CAT, highlighted the group’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers. He stated, “We will offer technical agricultural support, establish demonstration plots, and guide farmers on how to plant and nurture these new banana varieties.” The goal is quite clear: to help farmers increase productivity and, as a result, their incomes.
Already, the preliminary stages of the initiative have begun. Through local district agriculture offices, CAT is identifying farmers who will benefit from training and demonstration plots introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture. This practical approach aims to tackle the enduring legacy of the Banana Bunchy Top Virus, which devastated local plantations and led to the mass importation of bananas.
Mathias Nkhoma, the Chief Agriculture Officer with the Department of Crops, added, “The time for revitalizing our banana production is now. With our ministry’s support, we’ll make sure the CAT’s banana project achieves the desired outcomes.” He noted how important this initiative is for Malawi, particularly as it aligns with the Malawi 2063 blueprint—an ambitious plan set to modernize agriculture, prioritize local produce, and heighten industrialization.
Indeed, banana cultivation is not just about preserving local food sources; it plays a significant role in the economy. Bananas were once synonymous with the economy of the south, alongside tea production. With successful implementation of this new project, Malawi hopes for increased banana exports, which could fill gaps left by imports and stimulate the economy.
Meanwhile, efforts to improve irrigation systems are also underway. The Greenbelt Authority (GBA) recently completed the first phase of rehabilitation at the Mlambe Irrigation Scheme. This initiative covers 48 hectares of the 800 designated for revitalization. GBA aims not just for volume production but also for enhanced crop varieties, including chilies expected to fetch high prices overseas, such as India, thereby inviting foreign exchange inflow.
Gideon Zumani, the Agricultural Production Officer at GBA, reported, “99% of the work on phase one has been finalized, and we’re already seeing some outcomes. Twelve hectares of the early variety TK 8023 have been harvested.” This moment marks significant progress, serving as the groundwork for their next phase, which includes another 350 to 400 hectares of land.
Farmers directly involved with the irrigation project are upbeat, benefiting from this partnership. “The MoU specifies terms, ensuring farmers retain 30% of the produce grown,” Zumani elaborated, underscoring the project’s commitment to fair resource sharing. The remaining produce will be distributed to help sustain other farmers who lack resources for farming.
By marrying financial input with agricultural advice and improvement, Malawi is positioning itself not just to restore its banana industry but also to embrace broader agricultural goals. This renewed focus may well pave the way for economic transformation and resiliency among smallholder farm operations, moving forward beyond mere subsistence.
Both projects showcase Malawi’s strategic approach to agricultural recovery: improving production capacity locally, enhancing crop variety resilience, and fostering economic independence. With significant backing from both financial and agricultural sectors, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about the future of Malawi’s agricultural output.
