Malawi Launches Three Landmark Agriculture Policies to Boost Economic Growth
Agriculture currently accounts for 22.9% of Malawi's GDP, employs approximately 64% of the labour force, and generates about 80% of foreign exchange earnings.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Malawi government unveiled three critical national agricultural policies on Wednesday, aiming to address structural constraints and transform the country's agro-based economy, writes Blessings Chikoti.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Dalitso Kawale characterized the launch as a pivotal moment for agricultural development, emphasizing the sector's significant economic importance.
Agriculture currently accounts for 22.9% of Malawi's GDP, employs approximately 64% of the labour force, and generates about 80% of foreign exchange earnings.
The three policies include the National Agriculture Policy, National Irrigation Policy, and Agriculture Land Resources Management Policy.
Kawale noted these policies complement Malawi's 2063 national development vision and align with international frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme.
"This underperformance is due to structural constraints such as the vulnerability of agricultural production systems to climate change, limited markets, and over-dependence on rain-fed agriculture," Kawale said.
The minister urged stakeholders in the agriculture sector to thoroughly study and implement the policies' provisions, positioning them as critical tools for economic transformation.
The policies aim to address key challenges, including climate change vulnerability and the limitations of rain-dependent agricultural systems.