Modern Farming Technology Donates Greenhouses to Tomato Farmers in Mzimba District

MZIMBA, Malawi-Modern Farming Technology (MFT) has donated 20 greenhouses to Peace Tomato and Chuma mu Nthaka Cooperatives in Mzimba district, as part of efforts to improve tomato farming in the region, writes Susan Moyo.

The handover ceremony took place on Saturday, with MFT director Atusaye Kayuni expressing optimism about the impact of the greenhouses on tomato yields.

"We are expecting that the two cooperatives will learn how to grow tomatoes in the greenhouses in order to improve quality and quantity yields, which will maximize profits," said Kayuni.

He further explained that well-managed tomato crops in greenhouses can yield up to K30 million per 10 greenhouses in one season, showcasing the potential of modern farming techniques.

In addition to the immediate benefits for the cooperatives, Kayuni revealed that MFT has plans to donate more greenhouses to farmers in an effort to promote overproduction and value addition, with the aim of reducing vegetable and fruit imports and boosting exports.

"By giving more greenhouses to farmers, it means they will be overproducing, so we are planning to do value addition so that we can be exporting our products as one way of maintaining forex in the country," Kayuni explained.

The cooperatives expressed gratitude for the donation, with Joshua Nkhono, the group executive member for Chuma mu Nthaka cooperative, stating, "As a group, we are very happy to receive the greenhouses today, and we will dedicate ourselves to taking care of the crops grown so that we may be able to pay back the loan to our partners, MFT."

The impact of the greenhouses extends beyond the cooperatives, as Group Village Headman Donald Tembo of Thimalala village under traditional authority Mtwalo in Mzimba district highlighted the benefits to the community.

"We welcome the development because some people within the community will find job opportunities, and MFT constructed a shallow water well that uses solar for irrigating crops under the greenhouses, but people around the community are benefiting from this source of water," said Tembo.

It is worth noting that MFT has provided the greenhouses on loan, and the cooperatives are expected to repay the loan within a period of four years.

The donation of the greenhouses by Morden Farming Technology to Peace Tomato and Chuma mu nthaka Cooperatives is seen as a positive step towards modernizing farming practices, improving yields, creating job opportunities, and promoting self-sufficiency in vegetable and fruit production in Mzimba district.

The commitment to repay the loan within a designated timeframe reflects the cooperatives' dedication to sustainability and partnership with MFT in achieving their agricultural goals.