To date; Malawi has only made biotechnological advancements with cotton. Meanwhile, trials are underway; at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Soya Beans. However, there’s a general consensus from biotech scientists, agriculture-influencers, law-makers and policy-drivers to engage private investors if the country is to catch-up a bit. Tamanda Matebule writes.
A concern has emerged that Malawi’s lagging behind in agriculture biotechnology is too glaring … the rate of progress from one adoption of one technology to another has come as a matter of unease.
In all this; underfunding towards the biotech sector seems a major barrier to the desired progression.
Hence: biotech scientists, agriculture influencers, law makers, policy drivers and custodians of nation planning feel it’s’ time to: shake the ground, cast the net wider, and look beyond government as a sole funder for biotech advancements.
Alternatively; shifting from overdependence of government, there are calls for a holistic approach that would engage multinational investors into genetic engineering to invade Malawi’s virgin biotech space.
Lessons, these stakeholders argue can be learnt from countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya which for instance have already made gains by engaging private sector investors who have brought Tela Maize to their respective countries – a genetically modified maize variety engineered to resist environmental stresses, drought and also army worms and stem bores.
This seems a general consensus.
Whilst concerned about underfunding; the National Commission for Science and Technology – a body tasked to fly scientific innovations agrees on need for multi-sectorial involvement according to Gift Kadzamira, acting director general for the commission.
He says: “there’s need to address this setback because underfunding has been the main barrier towards our aspirations.”
On a scientists’ perceptive; a senior biotechnology lecturer at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Abel Sefasi makes similar observation saying biotech advancements are lagging behind in the country.
He says; “this is largely for lack support and in turn this is killing our capacity to produce our own genetically modified organisms.”
On his part; Ronald Chilumpha an agriculture policy influencer says the push for biotechnological advancements in the country must address important issues, namely: perception towards GMOs, the role of government, the role of parliament and then the private sector-engagement.
“As a country; we won’t make any progress until everyone is gotten on board; government needs to realize the value of biotechnologies in the agriculture sector and then scale-up funding towards this aspect.
“Parliament also has to support this course and then we can learn how other countries are engaging multinational enterprises or even the academia. Above all let’s also raise awareness on the positives of biotechnology,” says Chilumpha.
Talking of multinational enterprises, he singles-out a public-private partnership Tela Maize Project has entered into with South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenyan governments for introduction of drought resistant maize.
“For a country often hit by fall army worms and given the constant changes in the climatic patterns such a variety of maize would be ideal to enhance productivity, adds Chilumpha.
And at parliament; legislators seem supportive to lobby for promotion and enhancement of science and innovation in the country’s agriculture sector.
Realizing the need for biotechnology; Ephraim Nayeja, member of the Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology says Members of Parliament are ready to facilitate discussion on the need for biotechnological advancements towards the agriculture sector.
“On our part; we are ready to lobby for increased funding towards biotechnological initiatives, which are aimed at identifying, encouraging and promoting productivity on the agriculture space,” says Nayeja.
One sure way for the country to achieve the desired status, he says, is to get Parliament on board and have it lobby for improved funding towards the sector and also to popularize new technologies to masses including campaigners and farmer; mostly technology end users.
Towards this partnership drive; Malawi government has partnered with the University of North Carolina, in the USA and the Hunan University of Agriculture of China.
Under the individual Memorandums of Understanding these universities are to promote the generation and uptake of Science, Technology, and Innovation to accelerate agricultural development in the country.
“Through these agreements, Malawi and the two universities commit to promoting development and delivery of agricultural technologies and products with focus on improving animal productivity, consumption and profitability,” says Kawale.
“If we are attain technological growth as prescribed for in the Malawi Agenda 2063 we need to reinforce partnerships with like-minded organisations and leveraging each other’s strength to achieve our national dream.
“The signing of the MOUs with these universities is therefore a gesture of our committed to building partnerships that will enhance agriculture productive to deliver agricultural value to the country.”
Looking into the future, Kawale said, once Malawi has built strong foundation for agriculture biotechnology smallholder farmers should be in a position to increase their yields, improve their incomes, and contribute to food security of the country.
He observes, “It won’t happen overnight; we must start small and begin by investing in new farming technologies from better seeds to animal productivity.”
Weighing on these strides and suggestions; Abel Kalima Banda – president of Tobacco Growers Trust says it’s time to call for the need to transform the country’s agriculture by adopting emerging technologies such as “biotechnology, which present opportunities for farmers to improve on harvest and also provide other efficient delivery systems,” says Kalima-Banda.
He adds: “It’s therefore important to realize that biotechnology offers smart food processing techniques and enhances precision farming that can potentially transform the country’s agriculture.”
Looking into the future through the National Planning Commission whose Malawi 2063 national vision envisions a knowledge-based and technology driven economy says the commission is emphasizing on productivity and commercialization of the agriculture sector.
According to Thom Khanje, public relations manager for the commission: “the country must at this stage begin to tap on advancements in innovations and technology that underscores the usage of enhanced production technologies on small land resources like greenhouses.
“It’s therefore the expectation within the vision that going forward there shall be appropriate funding towards advancement of technology in agriculture and food production from all stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, NGOs and development partners.
“Without adequate funding towards research, technology, innovation and their development, Malawi will not be able to achieve its development targets, including those for 2030 as outlined in the Malawi 2063 First 10 Year Implementation Plan,” says Khanje.
