Figures from the International Trade Centre (ITC) show that legumes export have been declining since 2015, as by then, $58.5 million was profited in legume exports which has gradually lowered over the years, to $15.8 million in 2018.

The results in 2018 are appalling as in the same year,   lucrative markets were found for the crops in Asia, Middle East, Africa and the United Kingdom (UK). Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (Mitc)—the country’s one-stop investment and trade centre— and AHL Commodities Exchange (AHXC), said they had identified markets for pigeon peas, soy beans, groundnuts (Chalimbana and CG7), sunflower and beans.

Agriculture expert, Tamani Nkhono-Mvula, attributed the poor handling of crops in the field and after harvesting, to the losses.

“Main legumes that Malawi has been exporting are groundnuts and pigeon peas. In the 1980s, Malawi was one of main exporters to the European market but there has been a decline over time because of challenges of aflatoxins and we have lost much of that market. For pigeon peas, the main market was India and we lost that right there in India.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Agricultural Research Services has touted a 37% increase in maize and legumes, attributing the bumper yield to a new technology known as Conservation Agriculture based Sustainable Intensification (Casi).

The above was revealed at the forum for the Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Cropping System for Food Security (Simlesa). Simlesa was launched 8 years ago by Australia, in an effort to support eastern and southern African countries. Hopefully the boom in legumes output will ensure improved exports as well.