Malawi deputy minister of agriculture and food security, Binton Kutsaira, disclosed the launch of a joint fertilizer procurement project for Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia during a regional agriculture input strategy meeting organised by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Kutsaira said that the launch will ensure increased agriculture productivity and regional food security also enhancement efficient use of seeds and fertilizers.
Dr. Janed Edeme, from the department of rural economy and agriculture at the African Union, said a fully fledged seed development programme for the continent is a key action which should be taken seriously to ensure the implementation of the Abuja Declaration on 2006 on seeds and fertilizers.
COMESA Director of Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development, Dr. Chungu Mwila, said developing seed and fertilizer programme will garner the support of various partners, especially in the private sector.
The Abuja declaration among other points made a commitment that by mid-2007, the African Union Member States and the Regional Economic Communities should take appropriate measures to reduce the cost of fertilizer procurement at national and regional levels especially through the harmonization of policies and regulations to ensure duty- and tax-free movement across regions, and the development of capacity for quality control.
Nyasa Times
