By Brenda Kayo:
Trade and Industry Minister Vitumbiko Mumba has urged root and tuber crop farmers to increase production to meet the country’s demand.
Mumba made the call Wednesday during a dissemination workshop in Lilongwe.
He said the import ban on crops such as sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, cassava, ginger and garlic had resulted in a significant demand gap, which necessitates the need for farmers to go into serious production.
“The demand is huge. Farmers wake up and increase production to meet the country’s requirements,” Mumba said.
Embassy of Ireland to Malawi Second Secretary Jacob Hansen-Shearer said his government was committed to supporting the country in producing more root and tuber crops for the export market.
He said Malawi’s current practice of importing and exporting root and tuber crops simultaneously was illogical.
“We aim to support import substitution, as it’s illogical for Malawi to both import and export root and tuber crops,” Hansen- Shearer said.
Daudi James Maulana, a farmer from Dedza District, said while farmers had the potential to produce more root and tuber crops, the main challenge lied in accessing reliable markets.
Maulana said farmers lacked access to information on market demand, prices and trends.
He said farmers struggle to establish connections with buyers, processors or traders, making it difficult for them to sell their produce.
Maulana added that poor road networks, storage facilities and transportation options also hindered farmers’ ability to reach markets.
He added that by providing farmers with information and analysis, they can make informed decisions about production and sales.
“By addressing these market access challenges, farmers can unlock their production potential and contribute to meeting the country’s demand for root and tuber crops,” Maulana said.
In February this year, Mumba banned the importation of root and tuber crops.
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