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Malawi Recommits to Agricultural Transformation at Caadp Summit

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Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming its agricultural sector and ensuring food security for its citizens. This pledge was reiterated by Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale during the recent Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (Caadp) Summit held in Kampala, Uganda.

The summit, a crucial gathering of African leaders, policymakers, and agricultural experts, aimed to accelerate progress towards the Malabo Declaration, a set of ambitious goals for African agriculture. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the need to transform the continent’s agri-food systems is more urgent than ever.

Addressing the summit, Minister Kawale highlighted Malawi’s significant strides in agricultural development. The country has consistently allocated at least 10 percent of its national budget to the sector, exceeding one of Caadp’s key benchmarks. This commitment is further solidified by the National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan, a roadmap for implementing Caadp strategies at the national level.

Malawi is also actively addressing critical challenges facing the sector. These include enhancing rural infrastructure, expanding irrigation systems, and promoting climate-smart agriculture to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The government is actively pursuing reforms to agricultural input programs, investing in large-scale farming initiatives, and leveraging public-private partnerships to mobilize resources and drive innovation.

However, Minister Kawale acknowledged that significant hurdles remain. Reliance on rain-fed agriculture, inadequate financing, and slow adoption of modern agricultural technologies continue to pose significant challenges.

The summit, attended by key figures such as African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Monique Nsanzabaganwa and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, underscored the urgency of addressing these challenges. President Museveni advocated for the full commercialization of agriculture and emphasized the importance of value addition to escape dependence on raw material exports.

The summit concluded with the endorsement of a new 10-year Caadp Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), aimed at building resilient agri-food systems, expanding intra-African trade, and creating millions of jobs for youth and women.

As Africa strives to achieve food security and sustainable agricultural development, Malawi’s commitment to Caadp’s goals serves as a beacon of hope for the continent. By addressing the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities, Malawi can play a pivotal role in transforming African agriculture and ensuring a food-secure future for its people.

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