President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Friday hosted the farmers at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, becoming the first Head of State to invite farmers to the royal palace.
During the interface, Chakwera assured the farmers about the dedication of his administration in developing the farmers in all aspects, including identifying competitive markets so that farmers can earn deserving profits from their labour.
He said his government appreciates the role that farmers are playing in developing the country’s economy through agriculture.
Chakwera thanked Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) for allowing its members farmers from different districts in the country to visit him.
“We usually sit together in government or political meetings, and the issues of agriculture are discussed, but the advantage of today’s meeting is that you, the farmers, are the ones who are given the opportunity to express your feelings. So I want to thank you for coming and for your message of encouragement. You have also encouraged me not to stop the work of promoting agriculture in this country,” he said.
He also said that he is happy to see how the prices of various crops are doing in the markets.
Chakwera said this will help farmers to do their jobs with motivation.
“When I look at how tobacco farming has progressed this year, I see that it is possible. When I look at how we have started the wheat farming that we want to reach all the governments of this country, I see that it is possible. When I look at the progress of macadamia nut production, Malawi is currently number 3 in Africa, and I see that it is possible.
“When I look at the progress of potato farming, that now Malawi is number 1 in Africa and number 2 in the world, I see that it is possible. When I look at the development of Mega Farms, that government agencies, as well as many farmers’ groups are starting their own Mega Farms, I see that it is possible,” he explained.
But Chakwera emphasized the importance of taking care of the produce with the aim of not spoiling it.
He said that it is regrettable that even though the harvest in this country is high, not everything is good for us because there is a lot of damage.
“So I request that when the government says it is bringing modern farming using tractors, you farmers join hands with us so that our harvests increase and be safe. When we say that we are bringing irrigation, you farmers should join hands with us so that our harvest is abundant and safe,” emphasized Chakwera.
