Agricultural research a tool to national development – Kawale

Ministry of Agriculture has described agricultural research as a key tool that can take Malawi through to Agenda 2063.

Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, made the remarks when he toured Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station in Thyolo district.

Speaking after the tour, Kawale said his ministry is investing heavily in research activities so that the country can come up with the right varieties of crops and livestock.

Kawale said the ministry has a number a number of new varieties of crops, livestock and the use of different types of fertilizers which are affordable to farmers.

“Over a couple of years the ministry of Agriculture has come up with new technologies for example we have maize varieties that have been tested and proven to held a farmer to produce over 18 metric tons per hectare.” Kawale explained.

On challenges the research stations are going through, the minister said his office has engaged a number of stakeholders to start aligning their activities to the aspirations of the country.

“We have engaged different universities, research institutions as well as development partners to say stop experimenting on things that will only benefit you, but we want the technologies will benefit Malawi so that all research stations should be well equipped.” he said

On her part the Station Manager for Bvumbwe Agricultural Research, Margret Mthenga, commended the minister for the visit saying will appreciate the challenges the station is going through.

Mthenga said among other challenges the station is using the outdated laboratory equipment which is also negatively affecting their delivery of services.