Government has underscored that wheat can be another source of forex if it grown in large quantities in the country.
Chief Agricultural Research Scientists Dr. Isaac Fandika made the sentiments on Thursday at the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) Field Day at Kasinthula Research Station in Chikwawa.
He said Malawi has the potential to produce up to nine tonnes of wheat per hectare.
Speaking to ProjectM, Fandika disclosed that at Kasinthula Research Station, they have produced four varities of wheat which can be grown in the country.
“The researched varieties are drought-resilient and suitable for heat related season as in the Shire Valley,” he said.
The chief scientist also said that the varieties matures after three months.
Shire Valley Agriculture Development Division (SVADD) Programme Manager, Taurai Mlewa said the SVTP field day has brought together researchers, agriculturists and farmers.
He observed that the duo parities of researchers and agriculturists have a greater impact in the improvement farming in the country.
“Farmers have seen for themselves what researchers are doing at Kasinthula Research Station which Agim encourages them to apply in their gardens,” said the programmes manager.
Chairperson for Chingalumbs Cooperative, Osman Zambasa xconcurred with the SVADD Program Manager saying the field day herë been fruitful to the farmers.
” It has been an eye opener to us as we had an opportunity on the growing of different crops and we have had look and decide which crops should choice to grow,” he said.
The SVTP Field Day draw twelve of the thirteen cooperatives under the project which was held under the theme” Scaling Innovative Technologies for Improved Productivity and Commercialisation in Shire Valley.”
