By Ousman Kaliati:
Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale has announced that the government has ordered the purchase of 10 grain dryers to promote commercialisation and mechanisation in the country’s agricultural sector.
Kawale said this in Salima District Wednesday following the handover of a grain dryer and six tractors to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Korean government has donated the items through their ambassador.
According to the minister, the grain dryer and tractors would contribute to the transformation of the agriculture sector while promoting commercialisation and mechanisation.
“This grain dryer will enable farmers to be sending dry grain to markets as they have been sending their grain to the market while wet. This grain dryer will address the challenges,” Kawale said.
The minister then said the tractors would help any commercial farmer to cultivate crops on a large area.
“The tractors will be spread across the country. We encourage farmers to invest in grain dryers as they will enable them to dry their grain before taking it to the market. We want every commercial farmer to procure these dryers,” Kawale said.
On his part, Korean Ambassador to Malawi Jyaeyung Park said his government was committed to supporting the Malawi Government in transforming the agriculture sector to enhance the country’s economy.
“We believe that agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the people of Malawi,” Park said.
He said the government of Korea would continue to support the Government of Malawi in the agriculture sector.
The grain dryer and six tractors are valued at $300,000.
