ARAP Conducts Groundnuts Research in Malawi

Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) says is conducting a research on groundnuts to appreciate dynamics of agricultural commercialization as the crop is not among leading farm commodities which Malawi exports.

APRA is a consortium of researchers across Africa, United States and Western Europe, working on African agriculture.

Its aim is to ensure that agriculture becomes the leading sector to spur economic development and reduce poverty especially among women and the youth.

Speaking during a media workshop in Lilongwe University of Malawi’s Professor Blessings Chinsinga said the study solely focuses on groundnuts because market information shows that it is no longer among leading forex earners.

“The study will give us direction to engage policy makers to put in place strategies and create enabling environment that would facilitate revitalization of groundnuts to reclaim its lost glory on the international market,” said Chinsinga

He expressed hoped that the study will produce desired results since it was designed to be conducted in two phases.

Chinsinga said during the second phase from October, APRA will follow up households that were interviewed in Ntchisi and Mchinji districts during the first phase of the research.

He acknowledged government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for agricultural commercialization but said the country is still facing challenges to implement some of the formulated policies.

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