Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) has donated 22 motorbikes to Ministry of Agriculture to ease mobility of extension workers in hard-to-reach areas and linking farmers to markets.
Speaking during the handover of the motorbikes, valued at K35 million, Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Kazuhiro Tambara said the donation would boost agricultural productivity in the country.
“Most research workers do not have motorbikes. So the donation is aimed at supporting agricultural extension services to improve farmers livelihood because there will be more worker-farmer contact,” Tambara said.
Speaking during the handover on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Alfred Mwenefumbo, Controller of Agriculture and Technical Services, commended JICA for the good gesture as the donation will help to reach out to 20,000 to 30,000 farmers.
“The donation is timely as this will help facilitate mobility for our frontline workers who used to travel long distances to contact our farmers,” Mwenefumbo said.
Hastings Yotamu, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Lilongwe District Council, added that they will ensure that the motorbikes are used for its intended purposes.
“We want to appreciate JICA for the donation since there has been high demand for the motorbikes and we will make sure they are well maintained so that delivery of services can be improved,” Yotamu explained.
