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EU DONATES 220 MOTORBIKES TO GOVERNMENT OF MALAWI
The Government of Malawi signed the Financing Agreement (FA) with the European Union (EU) on 14th March 2017 to implement the Kutukula Ulimi m’Malawi (KULIMA) Programme and the Afikepo Programme. Both Programmes are financed from the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). KULIMA Programme aims at contributing to increased growth and expanded commercial agriculture base while also tackling the long term aspects related to improved food and nutrition security. The Afikepo Programme on the other hand aims at enhancing nutrition security to address under- nutrition, particularly in the under-5 children and their negative consequences on the cognitive, social and economic development in Malawi.
On 8th January, 2019, the European Union (EU) through Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) donated 220 motorbikes to the Government of Malawi (GoM) through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD) as one way of improving mobility of Extension Workers that support the strengthening of nutrition sensitive agriculture and productivity under KULIMA and Afikepo Programmes. This is part of a consignment of 14 4x4 Vehicles, 450 motorbikes, and 4500 bicycles being procured under Kulima and Afikepo programmes.
The event took place at Capital Hill in Lilongwe. It was attended by officials from the Government of Malawi, the European Union, Food and Agriculture Organisation, the representatives of the media houses and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, HE. Sandra Paesen, EU Ambassador to Malawi said it is the duty of the Malawi Government to make the best use of the motorbikes in the course of implementing the said two programmes. He also advised the Ministry to include female Extension Workers when allocating the motorbikes as a way of promoting gender equality and equity.
The Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha MP, received the motorcycles on behalf of the Government of Malawi. He commended the EU and FAO for the donation and said that the motorbikes will help extension workers reach out more farmers. The FAO Representative James Robert said that FAO recognized the Government of Malawi’s steadfast commitment to develop the agriculture sector and address the challenges affecting food and nutrition security in the country.
