Nasfam hails private sector involvement in agriculture

National Association of Smallholder Farmers in Malawi (Nasfam) says involving the private sector in agriculture can enhance their capacity to also own infrastructure.

Nasfam executive director Dybon Chibonga spoke in an interview in Accra, Ghana on the sidelines of the 12th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (Caadp) Partnership Platform Meeting.

He was reacting to an African Union (AU) presentation which stressed the importance of engaging the private sector in agriculture.

But Chibonga said the private sector can get on board if government provides a conducive environment to lure financial institutions to finance agriculture.

AU commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Economy Tumusiime Rhoda-Peace said there is no getting it right unless the private sector is involved.

This year’s Caadp is being held under the theme Innovative Financing and Renewed Partnership to Accelerate Implementation of Caadp.