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(NYASATIMES) Dry spell threatens Malawi coffee production-agriculture economist

Dry spell threatens Malawi coffee production-agriculture economist
By Nyasa Times
Published: January 14, 2010

A local agriculture economist, Harrison Kalua, has expressed fears that the country’s coffee production may decrease due to the dry spell being experienced in the country. Some parts of the country are experiencing a dry spell that has led to wilting of crops.

Other reports indicate that some parts of Dedza district were recently hit by army worms, due to the same reason. Kalua told Capital Radio that production of coffee, which is one of the country’s foreign exchange earners, may be affected by the dry spell.

Currently, coffee is said to be on high demand on the international market.

Kalua, who is the chairman of Coffee Association of Malawi-CAMAL, said that presently, the rainfall pattern has been poor, to the disadvantage of various crops including coffee.

He, however, said the chances still exists for the crop to pick up on the ground since coffee is a perennial crop.

Labels: COFFEE, DROUGHT

posted by MrK @ 5:06 PM