China Promises to Increase Its Support for Malawi's Agriculture Sector

The Chinese Embassy in Malawi made the pledge in Lilongwe at the start of a 3-day programme in which Chinese agricultural experts train over 40 senior extension workers from the country's eight agricultural divisions on rice production.

According to the Chinese Agricultural Technical Team, the training programme is part of the third phase of the China Aid Project for Agricultural Technical Cooperation in Malawi.

At the opening ceremony, Counsellor Zhang Chunfa of the Chinese Embassy in Malawi stated that the project will help Malawi upgrade its agricultural technology, increase agricultural output, reduce unemployment, and increase people's income. "It is a good project that truly benefits," he said, referring to the zero-tariff treatment for 98 percent of Malawian exports to China.

"China will strengthen its partnership with Malawi under the 2063 blueprint strategic dialogue under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Global Development Initiative," Zhang said, adding that China will strengthen cooperation with Malawi in agriculture and other fields.

He stated that the Chinese government will make unrelenting efforts to promote the two countries' economic and social development and to deepen their friendship. Alfred Mwenifumbo, Malawi's Controller of Agricultural Extension and Technical Services, thanked the Chinese government for the technical assistance, describing Chinese expertise as critical, especially at a time when Malawi is pursuing mega-farming as one of the ways to achieve its 2063 Agenda.

"We are fortunate to have the Chinese government on our side. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and rice is a critical food and diversification chain for us. This rice production training will assist our extension workers in adopting and sharing new technologies with the farmers out there," Mwenifumbo said.