Thursday, December 17, 2009

Malawi coffee is the best, Harrison Kalua

The chairperson for the Mzuzu Smallholder Coffee Farmers Association, Harrison Kalua, says Malawi coffee is one of the most sought after commodities in the world, attributing the trend to its unique flavour.
Kalua, who is also president of the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI), said Malawi's economy stood to gain a lot from coffee exports, now that the current administration of president Bingu wa Mutharika was doing all it could to improve standards of farming.
Malawian farmers have long been used to bending their backs during crop cultivation, a trend that Kalua said was dying down due to increased emphasis on mechanisation.
"Things are improving in agriculture. In addition, coffee farmers are now well versed with modern coffee cultivation methods- something that augers well for Malawi. Our coffee's test is unique in the world," said Kalua.
Kalua said increased funding to Mzuzu farmers had also helped improve the living standards of smallholder farmers.
Mzuzu, a Northern Malawi city, is located in a region whose climatic conditions suit coffee, prompting farmers to set up their own manufacturing plants, with the support of Malawi's development partners.
"Malawi coffee is unique; tourists from all over the world like it," he added.

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