“I particularly came to seek more information on how to venture into soybean farming, for I did not get much from my maize harvest this year. Please walk me through,” said Faith Gwiramwendo, a veteran maize farmer based in Blantyre. However, with the effects of cyclone Freddy that has affected harvest in the southern part of Malawi, she decided to visit the IITA pavilion at this year’s three-day National Agriculture Fair to get more guidance before the farming season begins.
Gwiramwendo was among many farmers and players who graced the IITA stand seeking agriculture solutions at the Malawi National Agriculture Fair, an annual event organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI). This year’s event was held in Blantyre under the theme “Achieving Self-reliance through Agricultural Commercialization,” with over 120 private and governmental organizations participating.
The fair provides a forum for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to share experiences and expertise on agricultural activities to promote linkages generated within the value chain. The fair also aims to expose farmers and farmer groups to new developments in technologies, markets, and financial arrangements, among other services.
The guest of honor, Malawi Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, visited the IITA exhibition, where he learned about Aflasafe—the biocontrol product used to combat aflatoxins in maize and groundnut. He also saw samples of improved and soon-to-be-released cowpea, soybean, and cassava varieties.
Minister Kawale received pamphlets describing IITA’s activities across Africa. He received a comprehensive briefing on IITA support to the NARS (National Agricultural Research System), focusing on developing innovative solutions that benefit farmers and contribute to the drive for agricultural commercialization.
Among the displays, IITA presented the newly released Soybean varieties of Chitedze Soybean 4 and Chitedze Soybean 6, which are poised to replace the firebrand and nationally accepted Tikolore variety, also developed by IITA and its partners.
“The more farmers know and adopt the new varieties, the higher the productivity, as these new varieties are high yielding and have high oil and protein content needed by processors,” explained McDonald Nundwe, Research Associate for IITA Malawi.
Responding to the impacts caused by soybean rust disease experienced during the last growing season, he emphasized that soybean rust resistance is now one of the objectives to be addressed in developing new soybean varieties.
At the cassava stand, IITA showcased seed system technologies for food and nutrition security by ensuring that farmers access quality seed in the right quantities at the right time. Varieties displayed included those high in yield, dry matter content, and carotenoid content produced through modern breeding techniques. These varieties can be rapidly multiplied through Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics.
The Minister emphasized the pivotal role that adaptable farmer solutions must play in the drive for agricultural commercialization. He also highlighted that the government is in the process of expanding the ambitious mega-farms aimed at eradicating hunger and famine in the country. “Mechanization is the way to go. Malawi is suffering greatly on its exportation index, and we depend on everyone to play a part,” said Minister Kawale.
Other IITA Malawi projects on display included Understanding and Enhancing the Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Smallholder Farming Systems of Southern Africa (ACASA) Project; Kulima (Kutukula Ulimi M’Malawi – promoting farming in Malawi); Leg4Dev project; Malawi Digital Plant Health Service (MaDiPHS); and the Root and Tuber Crops for Agricultural Transformation in Malawi (RTC-Markets).
Contributed by Emmanuel Mwale
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