The Controller of Extension and Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Alfred Mwenifumbo, has stressed the need for increased productivity and commercialisation of Macadamia for the country to fulfill the Malawi First Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1).
He made the remarks on Friday, during the commencement of the macadamia nuts training organised by Mega Farm Support Unit in partnership with the Malawi Macadamia Association (MMA) in Lilongwe.
The training was organised to introduce farmers, under the Mega Farms Project to agronomic practices involved in macadamia production, as well as provide them with tools to evaluate their financial and archaeological suitability for cultivating Macadamia.
Mwenifumbo stated that the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, will work towards ensuring that macadamia farmers harness their benefits to the fullest, as this cultivation has the potential to revolutionise the agricultural sector.
He pointed out that Malawi ranks among the top three macadamia producers globally, holding the seventh position worldwide, saying this marks a significant milestone in the agricultural transformation of the country.
He urged farmers to utilise irrigation system on a minimum of five hectares of land and to exercise patience in macadamia cultivation.
MMA Executive committee member Henry Mdyetseni hailed the collaboration between Ministry of Agriculture and the Association in providing farmers with knowledge in macadamia farming.