Taiwan-Africa Summit Special Report: Agricultural aid in Malawi harvests goodwill

Visitors to Malawi like to wander in the tropical forest, climb mountains high and low, and encounter wild animals on the way. In the last few years, Malawi became one of the hottest tourist spots in Africa, challenging other countries famed for tourism, such as Kenya. With five national parks and four game reserves, Malawi satisfied those longing for something different and adventurous on their vacation.

"People visit Malawi because the animals are outside. The animals are not migrating and they are always in the open," Malawi's Ambassador to Taiwan Thengo Maloya said Aug. 27. Many Taiwanese remain unfamiliar with this southern sub-Saharan nation of 13 million people and its lush landscapes, abundant wildlife, and spirited citizens; however, Maloya suggested that increased exchanges between the two nations would help to further solidify their cordial relationship.

Relations between the Republic of China and Malawi were first established in 1964, and have become stronger and tighter over the past 40-plus years. Malawi set up its current embassy in Taiwan in 1999, when Eunice Kazembe was the ambassador. Since that time, officials from both nations have been making efforts to promote bilateral cooperation and opportunities for Taiwan's businesses in agricultural technology, basic infrastructure and trade. Non-governmental organizations from Taiwan have also dispatched personnel to Malawi to provide medical care and improve people's quality of life.

Agricultural yield in Malawi, an agrarian society, has already surpassed domestic need, thus allowing the opportunity for exports, Maloya said. Taiwan has taken the lead in investing in agricultural technology, particularly rice cultivation, in recent years. Staples like rice, sugar and corn strengthened the economy, which was once almost solely dependent upon tobacco. "We want to diversify," said Maloya, emphasizing that Malawi's successful agricultural transformation could be attributed to government support. This year alone, some 10,000 metric tons of food were donated to Malawi's neighbors Lesotho and Swaziland, showing that Malawi has truly come into its own in agricultural production.

As a member of the Southern African Development Community, Malawi is poised to take advantage of its strategic location and act as a regional transshipment point. Investors, Maloya hinted, could also share in related benefits and favorable policies, such as a subsidy provided for fertilizer to help farmers boost production.

"Taiwan actually has an agriculture mission in Malawi," Maloya said, and what was being done was helpful. As Malawi is thrice the size of Taiwan, however, it ought to be able to regularly produce far above its own domestic need, he continued. Overcoming difficulties encountered in farming and distribution remains sticking points as the country looks to move forward, he said, while especially pressing issues include irrigation, machinery fertilizer and food storage.

According to Maloya, what makes life in Malawi a bit more pleasurable is the fact that Malawians are very cooperative, hospitable and friendly. Advisory centers have also been established to help newcomers find their way. A sizeable number of Asians and Europeans call Malawi home, and communication for business owners is not a problem since many of Malawi's people speak English.

Every African country faces unique challenges and issues, so Maloya suggested Taiwan's assistance programs could function better by providing aid according to the needs of each country. Such a process would reduce inefficiency and increase integration between the two nations. An appropriate policy will help Taiwan and Malawi, and Taiwan and Africa, grow closer and stronger together as each faces the challenges of the 21st century, Maloya stressed.