New Delhi, India – Malawi’s Agriculture Minister, Sam Kawale, has called for continued collaboration with India to bolster Malawi’s agricultural sector. Speaking at the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi, Kawale acknowledged India’s significant role in supporting Malawi’s agricultural initiatives, which are central to the country’s development goals as outlined in the Malawi 2063 strategy.
Kawale highlighted the importance of transitioning Malawi’s agriculture from subsistence farming to a more commercialized and productive system. He praised the Indian government’s longstanding partnership with Malawi, noting that since 2008, India has extended a $180 million Line of Credit for various agricultural projects, including cotton ginneries, a sugar processing plant, and the Green Belt Initiative.
The minister also mentioned India’s disaster relief efforts, such as the donation of 1,000 metric tons of rice in 2020, which helped Malawi recover from devastating crop failures. These efforts, according to Kawale, have been instrumental in improving smallholder farming and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
Kawale emphasized the importance of the ongoing discussions in New Delhi as an opportunity to deepen these ties, explore new agricultural strategies, and tackle challenges within the partnership. He identified areas where Malawi seeks further assistance, including irrigation development, agricultural research, natural resource management, livestock development, and the establishment of mega-farms.
