By Vincent Nhlema
The Royal Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, H.E. Mrs. Ingrid Marie Mikelsen says the NASFAM has potential to contribute towards reduction of the trade balance through export and as a substitute for imports, which continue to deplete foreign currency in the country. Mikelsen said this when toured NASFAM Commercial processing facilities in Lilongwe to appreciate the geoprocessing activities NASFAM is undertaking, as one of the beneficiary organisations of Norway’s support.
In her remarks, the ambassador said “I see that the standards they meet are of top quality. The products are ready for export markets, which can help Malawi in the trade balance. We have also seen that with this quality, it will reduce imports as these are import substitutes.”
The government of Norway has been supporting NASFAM from its infancy stages since the year, 2000.
“Over these 20 years, we have supported NASFAM with approximately US$28 million and that has been going towards core running of NASFAM in various programmes targeting better market accessibility for smallholder farmers, and towards improving the business model of the NASFAM system.”
Dr. Betty Chinyamunyamu, NASFAM Chief Executive Officer, expressed gratitude for the support they receive from the Norwegian Government because “It has helped us to build capacity of the farmers to improve the yield and quality of their farm produce. It has also helped us to provide smallholder farmers various interventions, from production to marketing and value addition aimed at improving their farm businesses and general livelihoods.”
Chinyamunyamu also said that her organisation has been supported with some equipment which is being used for agro-processing at their Kanengo Factory.
“Another thing to note is that their (Norwegian) support is not project specific. It supports our strategic plan, which means it supports our strategic priorities identified by the organisation as necessary for its growth and development”, added Chinyamunyamu.
The ambassador further observed that the NASFAM model has “so much potential in helping smallholder farmers produce quality produce in a climate smart way, providing them with better markets, and produce good quality products.”
Chinyamunyamu (left) and Ambassador Mikelson (far right).
Chinyamunyamu concurred with the ambassador that the quality of their products is of export quality which they have embraced throughout all the processes, from the field to the factory.
“Farmers are supported with the right inputs to produce quality products. They are also trained and provided with relevant support to minimise quality compromise. For example, groundnut shellers are made accessible to farmers so that they do not soak their nuts during shelling as this is one way that leads to higher aflatoxin contamination”, added Chinyamunyamu.
The tour provided an opportunity to the Ambassador to familiarise herself with the organisation after arriving in Malawi a few months ago.
She had the opportunity to learn the different production processes including: maize flour processing and packaging; groundnuts roasting, blanching and packaging; rice sorting, cleaning and polishing and packaging; and quality management systems to ensure quality products are produced and sold on the market.