Authority Sets Sights on 10,000 Hectare Expansion to Ignite Economic Growth in Malawi
Key Business Points
- The Greenbelt Authority (GBA) aims to commercialize over 10,000 hectares for irrigation by next year, driving Malawi’s agricultural transformation.
- The authority is rehabilitating government-owned farms, focusing on high-value crops and large-scale farming operations to support the country’s food security and economic growth.
- Private sector involvement is crucial to support the government’s investment in agricultural commercialization, particularly in irrigation development, to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Greenbelt Authority (GBA) has set ambitious targets to transform Malawi’s agricultural sector, with a focus on commercial irrigation. According to GBA Chief Executive Officer Eric Dudley Chidzungu, the authority is intensifying efforts to rehabilitate and commercialize several government-owned farms, which had been operating below capacity or lying idle. This initiative is expected to boost the country’s food security and contribute to economic growth. Chidzungu emphasized that the authority is a key driver in Malawi’s commercial agricultural transformation, with a focus on supporting the production of high-value crops through large-scale irrigation schemes.
The GBA has already demonstrated its capability in large-scale farming operations, cultivating 100 hectares of maize in Salima last year and 200 hectares this year, yielding over 800 metric tonnes of grain. This trial has shown promise, and the authority plans to expand its operations to 400 or 500 hectares in the coming rainy season. Additionally, the GBA is revamping farmland in several districts, including Mangochi, Nkhotakota, Karonga, Salima, and Chikwawa, which were in a state of disrepair. This revitalization effort is expected to increase productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in these areas.
Agriculture policy analyst Leonard Chimwaza has emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in supporting the government’s investment in agricultural commercialization. Chimwaza noted that irrigation is critical to commercializing agriculture, particularly given the challenges of climate change. He urged stakeholders to work together to realize the agriculture commercialization dream, which is aligned with the concept of "ulimike" (development) in Chichewa. By collaborating with the private sector, the government can leverage resources and expertise to drive growth in the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to Malawi’s economic development and "tsoka" (growth) in the industry.
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