Farmers in Malawi are getting another option for fertiliser as a Blantyre plant turns waste materials into thousands of kilogrammes of locally produced organic fertiliser every hour.
The Rural Development Investment Initiative Trust (RUDEVIT) plant in Chileka is producing about 3,000 kilogrammes of granulated organic fertiliser per hour, adding to the country’s local supply.
The facility began full-scale production in July and currently operates an eight-hour shift, producing about 60 bags of fertiliser per hour.
RUDEVIT Chairperson Hastings Bofomo Nyirenda said the production could help increase access to locally manufactured fertiliser while reducing reliance on imported products.
“The facility can produce about 60 bags per hour and could help increase the availability of locally manufactured fertiliser while reducing reliance on imported products,” said Nyirenda.
He said the investment could also support import substitution, create employment and stimulate economic activity.
“Through this investment, we can contribute towards Malawi’s fertiliser requirements through locally produced organic fertiliser,” he said.
The company currently employs more than 60 people, while its manufacturing process creates a market for waste materials by converting them into fertiliser.
The plant was established with financing from NBM Development Bank in 2022.
NBM Development Bank Director Alick Sukasuka visited the facility on Tuesday to appreciate the progress made since the bank financed the project.
Sukasuka said the development demonstrates the importance of supporting productive investments that strengthen local manufacturing.
“The progress at RUDEVIT has demonstrated the importance of supporting productive investments that strengthen local manufacturing and enable enterprises to increase their contribution to the economy,” he said.
