MZUNI participates in Agriculture Fair
Mzuzu University (MZUNI) participated in this year’s Agriculture Fair at Chichiri Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre which took place from August 29 – 31, 2024 themed “Driving Towards Export-oriented Agriculture Through Commercialisation and Innovation”.
The Agriculture Fair was graced by their excellencies Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique.
Dr. Chakwera, who is also Chancellor of Mzuzu University, was visibly impressed by the products and innovations displayed after being briefed by Dr. Mavuto Tembo who is Director of African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilised Biodiversity (ACENUB).
Dr. Tembo said the maiden appearance at the Agriculture Trade Fair was an opportunity to showcase what the centre and MZUNI offer.
“ACENUB plays a significant role in promoting the conservation and sustainable utilisation of neglected and underutilised plant species. We displayed the importance of maintaining biodiversity in agriculture for instance, we emphasised the value of preserving different plant varieties for the resilience of agricultural ecosystems,” he said.
Dr Tembo said adding value to the neglected and underutilised species has nutritional benefits.
“Many plant species often possess high nutritional value. By diversifying crop options, the country can enhance food security. These plants can serve as alternative food sources, especially in times of climate change or crop failures,” he said.
Aligned to the theme of the Agriculture Fair, Dr. Tembo said there were some market opportunities that must be explored.
“There is significant market potential for these neglected and underutilized plant species. By encouraging the cultivation and commercialization of these plants, new economic opportunities can be unlocked for farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector,” he said, highlighting the crucial role of science and technology that ACENUB and MZUNI have effectively utilised.
Dr. Tembo said the university is so innovative in its approach bringing together science and technology.
“We have developed sustainable agricultural practices and models using technology and artificial intelligence because we believe these two aspects are the future of the agriculture sector,” he said.
The products that were displayed during the Agriculture Fair depicted smart agriculture systems and applications employing principles of artificial intelligence, internet of things and machine Learning, insect farming, agri-food and feed products, neglected and underutilized agri-food products and value added agri-food systems products, with potential of commercialisation and import substitution.
The products were from various fields including: Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Agri-Sciences, ICT, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Energy Systems, and Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences under the three faculties which are Science, Technology and Innovation; Environmental Sciences, and Tourism, Hospitality and Management.
