Malawi to engage partners to support greenbelt initiative

Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika on Thursday said that he would engage developed countries to support his “greenbelt initiative” whose aim is to ensure food security in the country.

The initiative, to be implemented along the shores of Lake Malawi from the northern Karonga district to the southern Mangochi district of Malawi, intends to mass scale irrigation farming to grow food crops such as maize and rice.

Speaking during his departure at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York City, USA, the president the initiative, if well implemented, would make Malawi a reliable regional breadbasket.

“The initiative would assist in reduction of food prices since there will be a high supply of food at individual, community and national levels,” he told reporters soon after inspecting a guard of honour.

While in USA, President Mutharika said he would meet several dignitaries, including former US President Bill Clinton, to discuss the way forward on the projects he is funding in Malawi through the Clinton Hunter/Foundation.

Malawi joined the UN after attaining independence in 1964.