Cyclone Freddy: Government tipped on reviving agriculture sector

Malawi’s food security situation in the aftermath of the recent Cyclone Freddy tragedy depends on whether the authorities will resolve to seriously empower agro-dealers.

This is according to a player in the Agro industry,Farmers Organisation Limited.

A Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) report, has singled out agriculture as a sector worst-hit by the devastating storm, with over 179 000 hectares of crop fields destroyed.

According to the report, at least 2 million farmers across the southern region have lost their crops and livestock following the disaster.

As fears of a looming hunger grip the nation, Capital Hill is now being tipped to ensure adequate forex availability to help agro-dealers import necessary farm inputs for winter cropping to ease the situation.

Trinta: We must do something.

Farmers Organisation Limited’s operations manager, Eric Trinta suggests that; “now that a lot has been destroyed, we need to consider winter cropping as a solution. We are supposed to bring in inputs ready for the same. If forex is not provided to agricultural input providers, then the problem will be very huge.” Trinta hinted.

Last Wednesday, DoDMA commissioner Charles Kalemba hinted on a response plan that would ensure proper restoration of all the sectors including agriculture in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy.

“We must make to do something to help people who have lost their crops so that after three months, people can harvest and then re-harvest after six months to make the country food secure.

Using the response plan we will be able to achieve those issues provided we mobilise enough resources.” Stressed the commissioner.

The world food program has also highlighted the need for a lot of investment in the sector’s recovery arguing the devastation has worsened the possibility of food insecurity.