Malawi Takes Giant Leap Towards Wheat Self-Sufficiency
In a ground-breaking ceremony, Controller of Agriculture and Extension Services, Dr. Alfred Mwenefumbo, launched the wheat harvest at Gada Mega Farm in Mchinji, marking a significant milestone in Malawi’s journey towards wheat self-sufficiency.
The event highlighted the country’s potential to reduce its reliance on wheat imports and boost its national economy as Malawi continues to make strides in wheat production, the future looks bright for the country’s food security and economic resilience.
Dr. Mwenefumbo acknowledged that some farms have struggled with wheat yields, but the harvest at Gada Mega Farm has shown promising results.
“With strategic efforts, Malawi can become a wheat-producing country, conserving foreign exchange and supporting economic growth. The goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production within the next six years,” said Mwenefumbo.
Gada Mega Farm planted two wheat varieties this season: ‘Harrier’ and ‘KAR,’ a local variety sourced from Pyxus. The ‘KAR’ variety performed exceptionally well, covering nine hectares, and is intended for seed multiplication.
Meanwhile , plans are underway to expand to 60 hectares in the next winter season, bolstering Malawi’s capacity for commercial wheat production.
Colonel Henderson Chilenga, Deputy Commander of the Malawi National Services, echoed the economic benefits of large-scale wheat production.
“This initiative was a trial to determine whether Malawi can produce its own wheat, and we’ve seen positive results with our local variety. We plan to work with the government and the Ministry of Agriculture to expand seed multiplication efforts,” said Col. Chilenga.
Malawi’s wheat import bill currently stands at approximately $48 million annually.
However, with the recent advancements in wheat farming, spearheaded by Pyxus Agriculture Limited, the country is on the path to self-sufficiency. Out of 80 varieties tested since 2019, only four have been identified as suitable for Malawian soil.
The success at Gada Mega Farm is a testament to Malawi’s vision of achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production, promising a future of strengthened food security and economic resilience with several mega farms across the country, including those in Nkhotakota, Ntcheu, Zomba, Kasungu, and Mzuzu, Malawi is poised to become a major player in wheat production.
