A factory for processing cassava is in the making in Nkhotakota, courtesy of the Nkhotakota based organisation called Tingathe Development Forum (TIDEF). Co-founder of the organisation Hussein Collins Chipala told Malawi24 that the work will benefit marginalised women and girls in Mpondagaga area in the lakeshore district.

Chipala said the factory, cassava will be turned into high quality cassava flour that will be used for among others baking and making animal feeds. “It will make many of them to be self-reliant as well as active contributors to Malawian economy. It will also be an eye opener to Malawians that there are a lot of possibilities in Malawi to make our life better.”

The factory comes amidst calls for diversification, from various organisations and stakeholders. Malawi has been highly dependent on Tobacco, Maize, Sugar and more cash crops that have seen a decline in market prices, sales and demand.