The Ministry of Agriculture says preparations for the 7th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) are at an advanced stage.
Minister responsible, Sam Kawale says the event will take place from May 12 to 16 at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
Kawale said the function will be held in partnership with Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) and Africa Forum For Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS).
“We are geared to host this important event which will bring together key players to rethink and reshape agricultural extension,” he said.
Kawale said the event will be held under the theme, Rebranding Extension for Enhanced Public-Private Sector Driven Commercialisation, Industrialisation and Inclusive Food Systems.
“This theme seeks to align the initiative with the Malawi 2063 vision,” said Kawale.
The ministry has since indicated that discussions and activities at the event will focus on coming up with stronger policies, digital innovations, quality tools for farmers and inclusive food systems and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Meanwhile, the AFAAS Board Chairperson Dr. Paul Fatch thanked the Malawi government for committing to hosting this event.
“The value for agriculture extension has been raised over the last few years, extension actors are now a demand driven profession which factor Africa extension workers can leverage on to demand for better environment to exercise their duties,” said Fatch.
The event is a continental platform for mutual learning and innovation among agricultural extension and advisory services providers across Africa.
