Malawi Leader President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera,  emphasized the critical need for substantial investment in the agricultural sector to achieve sustainability and enhanced productivity.

President Chakwera articulated this during his meeting with Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), held in New York, United States of America.

The President underscored that the development of irrigation infrastructure stood as a pivotal element capable of transforming the agricultural landscape.

“We are actively seeking support for capital-intensive irrigation initiatives aimed at developing 124,515 hectares by 2035, requiring a total investment of $1.9 billion, to be phased over the specified period,” he disclosed.

Furthermore, President Chakwera stressed Malawi’s need for technical and financial assistance in enhancing seed and breeding systems for both crops and livestock to sustain increased productivity.

He said: “To effectively bolster the sector, our goal is to fortify the National Agriculture Management Information System (NAMIS) to enhance data generation and policy formulation in response to emerging challenges.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a United Nations agency with a primary mission to ensure global food security and equitable access to high-quality nourishment for healthy and active lives.

In the context of Malawi, FAO has been in collaboration with the government since 1986, providing essential policy and technical support in areas related to food security, agriculture, and rural development.