Lilongwe, November 4 (Mana): The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has emphasized the crucial role of coffee in providing strategic exports for many developing countries, noting its high demand that is growing at an annual rate of 2 to 2.5 per cent, largely driven by rising consumption in emerging markets.

This was revealed in a press statement issued on Tuesday, signed by the Secretary for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Alfred Mwenifumbo.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the statement explained that coffee exports represent a critical source of foreign exchange earnings, rural employment, and livelihood security for producing nations.

"In Africa, where approximately 95% of producers are smallholder farmers, coffee cultivation contributes significantly to household income and local economic resilience. The continent accounts for about 12% of global coffee output," the statement read.

However, the ministry noted that the sector faces mounting risks from climate variability, including temperature shifts and erratic rainfall patterns that threaten yields and quality. Scaling up climate-smart and sustainable production systems has therefore become imperative to safeguard the competitiveness of African coffee.

To address these challenges, the Government of Italy is financing a regional technical assistance programme titled “Advancing Climate-Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee (ACT Coffee).” The initiative has a total budget of €15 million for the period May 2025 to May 2028.

Implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the EU Global Gateway, the programme supports the formulation of National Coffee Strategies in five key producing countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Malawi.

In Malawi, UNIDO, in collaboration with the Government of Malawi, engaged the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) to lead the analytical and strategic development processes.

The first phase involved a comprehensive assessment of the national coffee value chain, examining its functional, economic, and socio-environmental dimensions. Building on these findings, MUST completed the preparation of the Malawi Coffee Strategy (2025—2040).

According to the statement, the Official Launch of the Malawi Coffee Strategy (2025—2040) is expected to be held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), in Lilongwe, on Thursday.

(By Prisca Promise Mashushu – Malawi News Agency)