MEGA FARMS SEEN AS SOLUTION TO MALAWI'S FOOD CRISIS
The network acknowledged the project's potential but cautioned that past mistakes need to be avoided.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) is urging Malawi's government to move forward with the Mega Farms project as a way to address the country's recurring food shortages, writes Winston Mwale.
In a statement Tuesday, CISANET said the initiative "has the potential to significantly cut such perennial food shortages which will gradually contribute to the economic growth of our country."
The network acknowledged the project's potential but cautioned that past mistakes need to be avoided.
"Already, it can be said without fear of contradiction that the country has had enough initiatives to drive out hunger, possibly for good, had we been serious about it as a nation," the statement read.
CISANET board chairperson Herbert Chigona said the government needs to take concrete actions and establish oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and prevent impunity.
"A message ought to have been sent out that those planning to thwart government plans in arresting hunger through the highly-funded tax-payers funds will not be treated with kid gloves; truly a perfect definition of the Rule of Law," Chigona said.
The group urged the government to engage the public and civil society organizations as it implements the project to foster collective responsibility.
Malawi has long struggled with chronic food insecurity, a crisis that has left over 4 million people facing hunger this year, according to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee.