Maize, Sunflower to Aid Tobacco on Exports

Source from:  Malawi Daily Times 05/22/2009

Malawi has for the past two years increased its range of exports to include maize and sunflower seed, a development analysts say would come handy in case of decreased fortunes for tobacco as the heat against smoking grows at international level. Tobacco has been cited for health complications. During an international meeting held in South Africa last year, experts reported increased cases of tobacco-related ailments than ever before thereby fuelling anti-tobacco campaigns aimed at seeing the crop dubbed 'green gold' to many, including Malawi, on the death row. National Statistical Office (NSO) data indicates, for instance, that crops such as maize and sunflower seed have been clawing closer to tobacco on the exports ladder that, in 2007, maize ranked first as it attracted K13,119,869 against 393,202 kg exported. It was followed by unprocessed tobacco which attracted K9,226,112,455 in foreign exchange earnings as about 19,323,951 kg were exported. The statistics further indicate that sunflower seed (broken and non-broken) came third with K6,392,242,044 in foreign earnings, against the quantity of 4,244,950 kg. The crop was followed by cane, beat sugar, and chemically pour sucrose in solid form. These came forth and attracted K3,113,345,171 against a quantity of 3,113,345,171 for exports. Sainet Botoman, indicated on behalf of the Commissioner for Statistics, maize and sunflower seeds were in Malawi's top 10 list of export crops, having registered more export earnings. Statistics for 2008 also indicate that the three crops were moving arm in arm on the country's top 10 exports list for cash crops. Ministry of Agriculture officials indicate that the increased exports for maize could be because of the bumper harvests the country has chalked during the past three years, a feat they attribute to the fertiliser subsidy programme. Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Andrew Daudi said the subsidy programme has been such a success that officials from other countries were seeking input from Malawi on how to run similar programmes. Daudi also said the fertiliser subsidy programme had contributed towards the attainment of food security. "It has been such a good programme, and has also helped Malawi to export to other countries. We can now be described as a food basket for the region," said Daudi. According to Finance Minister, Goodall Gondwe, Malawi was looking at the possibility of exporting some maize this year. Maize production has again spilled over the national food requirements ceiling by over 1.6 million metric tonnes. The country needs 2.4 million tonnes to meet its domestic food requirements, this means maize becoming a big export crop factor again this year. Enditem