USAID to partner more agriculture entities in Malawi

More private agriculture companies are expected to benefit from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s partnership agreements.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID and Pyxus Agriculture Malawi in Lilongwe to the tune of $44.6 million equivalent to K50 billion for sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth through agriculture production.

The $44.6 million investment includes $14.6 million from the United States and up to $30 million from Pyxus, a Malawian registered US company.

According to USAID’s deputy administrator Isobel Coleman, through the partnership agreement, USAID and Pyxus will work together to increase the availability of high groundnuts seeds and boost groundnuts production and processing.

“We are not only interested to work with Pyxus but many private companies that is why we are targeting about 25 more agriculture companies because we believe in Public Private Partnership for economic development.

“The private sector dealing in agriculture is playing a critical role in creating and shaping opportunities that improve lives,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, Pyxus Agriculture Malawi managing director Ronald Ngwira highlights that the partnership will further strengthen its capacity for more value addition and exports.

He observed that investments will help the company to contract more farmers as they are targeting 10, 000 next year from the current 6, 700 and 30, 000 moving forward.

‘’This investment will allow our company to further invest in more inclusive and diversified private sector for sustainable wealth for Malawi and her farmers,’’ said Ngwira.

Agriculture development is one of the key pillars in the Malawi 2063 agenda which prioritizes transformation into an inclusive and resilient middle income nation for all.