Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, May 19, Mana: Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing sugar prices and increasing the commodity’s availability nationwide through deliberate policy actions and support for local production initiatives.

Speaking on Monday during an inspection of sugar production at Salima Sugar Company Limited, Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale revealed that the government is prioritizing the expansion of the sugar industry, with the Salima Sugar Company playing a pivotal role in these efforts.

“We are making a deliberate effort to enact supportive laws that ensure smooth sugar production. Our goal is to make sugar affordable and accessible to every Malawian.

“The government is leveraging the Greenbelt Initiative to open up surplus land for sugarcane farming, encouraging both local and foreign investors to participate in large-scale cultivation. The pending production Sugar Industry Bill is also expected to attract more farmers into sugarcane, by promoting high-value crops and enhancing public-private partnerships” said Kawale.

Salima Sugar Company, one of the state-affiliated firms under the Ministry of Agriculture, has faced several challenges since its inception but is now on a growth trajectory.

Executive Chairman for Salima Sugar Company, Wester Kosamu, expressed optimism about the company’s progress.

“We are currently producing sugar here in Salima and we expect to hit 22,000 metric tonnes this season. We also have 4,500 hectares of idle land that we are opening up to Malawians and potential partners for sugarcane planting,” said Kosamu.

The government’s strategic focus on production efficiency, expansion of arable land, and improved legislation aims to stabilize and eventually lower sugar prices, which has been a burden to many households in recent years.

With the combination of new investment, legislative backing, and expanded cultivation, the Ministry of Agriculture is confident that Malawi will not only achieve self-sufficiency in sugar but also ensure that every citizen can afford this essential commodity.