SCRI support for farmers in Malawi
Farmers in Malawi can look forward to improved potato crops and benefit from the expertise of researchers from SCRI following an award of nearly £400,000 by the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund.
SCRI will work with farmers, national potato researchers and CIP (International Potato Center) potato specialists based in Malawi to help combat constraints on the potato crop within the Malawian agricultural system and ultimately improve potato crop yields to reduce poverty and increase food security.
They will work to develop sustainable potato production through the development of disease-free potato seed tuber production systems and marketing for improved productivity and trade.
“We are very pleased to receive this funding to support potato production in Malawi,” said Dr Lesley Torrance, head of the Plant Pathology programme at SCRI, who will lead the work.
"Our development fund is having a real and positive impact, empowering people to take control of their own welfare, education and economic security" - Fiona Hyslop, External Affairs Minister
“Increased yields and sustainable potato production can only happen if we develop effective systems for virus-free seed potato production but once these systems are in place it should make a significant contribution towards improving food security and reducing poverty.”
The funding of £399,900 over three years is one of 21 projects receiving a total of £7.2 million to support work in Malawi announced by the Scottish Government on 18 March.
Making the announcement External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop said: "Scottish Government funds go directly to Scottish organisations who have demonstrated that they have the relevant skills, capacity and expertise to deliver services on the ground to the people of Malawi.
"Rigorous monitoring shows our funding is having a positive impact on the lives of Malawians and I was fortunate to witness this at first hand during my recent visit to the country.
"Scotland is a responsible nation and we will continue to help alleviate poverty in the developing world. We are working hard to help Malawians help themselves.
"During my visit I met many local people and the message was clear - our development fund is having a real and positive impact, empowering people to take control of their own welfare, education and economic security."
All of the projects receiving funds target the priority areas set out in the Co-operation Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Government of Malawi. These are health, education, civil society and governance and sustainable economic development.
SCRI is already leading similar work to support potato production in Kenya as part of a project backed by The Monsanto Fund.
More information from:
Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560044 (direct line), Mobile: 07810 860 701 or
Lorraine Wakefield, Information and Online Service Officer, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560047 (direct line) or 562731 (switchboard).
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Comments
I recently read 'The Boy Who
I recently read 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' which has a very moving account of the famine in Malawi. This may not seem like a huge amount of money but it will save lives and help the country develop. More of the same please!
Thumbs up for SCRI
Great article. I am from Africa so it is great to see that there are external "helping hands" A great way to fight poverty and improve the conditions that some of these farmers are having to deal with. The point that really impresses me is that it's not just a hand over of donations, it's using the money to teach, inform and ultimately equip these farmers with the resources to run a more productive yield.
Malawi farmers
This country needs support.
Helping farmers developing their crops is really a god thing from SCRI. Good job !
Potato Plantation in Dieng Damages The Environment
I wish that the help from SCRI taken place in my village.The potato plantation is very highly exploited here and many farmers here ignore the balance of nature. This leads Dieng Plateau to damage. This circumstance threats our sustainability of environment and local people.
Malawi
A good friend just got back from a mission trip in Malawi. She talked about how desperate the people were there for this kind of support and direction. Great to know help is on they way.
Support for farmers in Malawi
This is great news. The one thing that impresses me so much is that they are getting the help needed to be able to support themselves. Excellent step in the right direction.
Deb V.