Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water development has saluted the commendable job agricultural research scientists are doing in the country to address challenges slapping productivity in the agriculture sector.
The remarks were made at Chitedze Research Station where the 61st annual Chitedze agricultural research field day was held with the message “Promoting Agriculture Innovation for Improved Food Security, Nutrition and Economic Stability.”
Speaking to Malawi24, principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water development Grey Nyandule Phiri said government is impressed with the path research scientists have taken in cracking down barriers that have been standing against the wish of government to ensure food security in the country.
According to Nyandule, government will not sit and watch but will join and use all formulas from the book to make sure that the development reaches even down to the smallholder farmer.
“As government we are very happy that we have such activities in the country because this has shown that we are responding to the challenges Malawi is facing in agricultural productivity. If you recall, Malawi has lost much of its crops due to issues like diseases and climate change and since the research looks to address such issues we should not hesitate but embrace and promote it,” said Nyandule.
Responding to the hand of praise by the government, Chief agricultural research scientist at Chitedze research station, Laurent Pungulani hailed the applause as a catalyst to their effort and he assured the country that it has seen nothing yet as a bomb is soon to explode.
Pungulani further advised farming communities to visit Chitedze research station and collect varieties that will make them realize more profits in farming.
“We are challenging government that as researchers we will deliver the best to the nation, Malawi. Despite all challenges we are encountering in this work we are geared to turn the table,” Pungulani said.
Addressing the crowd that came to witness the event, one of the farmers who has already started using the purified seeds acclaimed the development saying his family is a living testimony to this work.
He also pledged to be an agent of the development to ensure that every farmer in the country has a bite of the development.
Currently, Chitedze research station is working on various crops belonging to different categories like cereals and legumes.
