In an effort to enhance capacity in the areas of agro-financing and entrepreneurship development in Malawi, the government of India has unveiled plans to establish the India-Africa Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development (IAIARD).

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Consultancy Service (Nabcons) to set up the institute. The institute, according to a statement by the ministry, will be the first of its kind developed in an African country by India.

The statement reads “IAIARD will be a pan-African Institute wherein trainees not only from Malawi but also from other African countries, will receive training to develop their human resources and build their capacity.”