The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) says the oil seeds sector is key to the country’s economy. Chief Executive Officer for MITC, Clement Kumbemba said this in Lilongwe during the business clinic on oil seeds the institution organized recently in Lilongwe.

‘This sector has the potential to grow our economy as we look for alternatives to tobacco.  Government already identified this as a priority sector in the National Export Strategy. So the time to promote the sector is now. We need to increase production in the sector by using modern technologies.’ Explained Kumbemba.

Kumbemba further added that there is huge market potential for oils seeds within the region and beyond.

The business clinic which gathered together players in the oil seeds sector has been hailed as an important platform to share knowledge on how best the sector can be improved.

Bernamu Kanyenje of Mdapepuka Farmers Association in Dowa, has described the clinic as an eye opener since it has accorded him an opportunity to have information on market opportunities for oil seeds.

 ‘I would like to commend MITC for organizing this workshop. The knowledge we have gained here is going to help our association, we have been advised on good farming practices, quality standards, tax issues and market opportunities for our crops.’ Explained Kanyenje.

The business clinic attracted participation of over 100 participants.  The discussions focused on quality and standards issues for oil seeds, packaging of raw and processed oil seeds, tax incentives applicable to the sector and market opportunities for oil seeds.

MITC organized the business clinic in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development with financial assistance from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) project.