By Chisomo Phiri
Abel Sefasi, a lecturer at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) says biotechnology can help Malawi meet its food security goals.
Sefasi made the sentiments on Monday during the Open Forum for Agriculture and Biotechnology (OFAB) Malawi Media Awards presentation ceremony in Salima.
According to the lecturer,only technological mechanisms can help Malawi feed its population, which the National Statistical Office (NSO) projects to be at over 20 million.
He said without improved crops, Malawi will continue to struggle with problems such as poor soil health, low yielding varieties, insect and disease infestation as well as low quality produce and poor nutrition outcomes.
On his part, National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) Chief Research Service Officer Mike Kachedwa said over the years, the country has produced a well-developed, robust and all-inclusive Biotechnology policy and a biosafety framework.”
He said :”In some cases, farmers have seen a reduction in the use of pesticides by 75 percent thus reducing their exposure to chemicals.”
Kachedwa further called on journalists to help close the information gap around agricultural biotechnology through the use of simplified language.
The 2023 OFAB Malawi Media Awards saw six journalists emerged winners.
These are Andrew Viano and Cassim Aubi of Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) who emerged winner and runner up respectively in the Radio Category.
Benard Ngege of MBC who won the national award in the Television Category; Gift Kaimira of GDTv, runner up (TV); Richard Chirombo of Times Group, who was overall winner Print Category and Meclina Chirwa of Timveni whose story appeared on Africa Brief as the runner up.
Winners went away with K750 000 and runners up K450 000 in the awards.
The awards which are conducted every year are aimed at promoting professional science reporting focusing on agriculture biotechnology.
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