Mubas powers agro technology

Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) has moved to power agro-technology by commissioning an agriculture mechanisation unit to manufacture and assemble a variety of agricultural machinery. Through the unit, it will make and assemble tractors, maize shellers, crop planters and maize harvesters among others. In an interview after the commissioning of the unit in Blantyre yesterday, Mubas Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Nancy Chitera said the facility will strengthen local capacity in agro-mechanisation while creating opportunities for skills development, innovation and income generation within Mubas.

She said low levels of mechanisation, limited technical capacity and inadequate access to appropriate technology constrained agricultural productivity in the country and that policy alone cannot solve challenges. Said Chitera: “Mubas has deliberately integrated teaching and skills development, applied research and innovation, manufacturing and industrial production as well as entrepreneurship and industry engagement. “This shows that Malawi can industrialise by leveraging local knowledge, local talent and local institutions.

It also demonstrates that universities can be centres of production, centres of innovation, centres of value addition and not just merely centres of instruction.” She said the university has invested over K5 billion to establish the factory and is expecting to begin full tractor production in the next three years. Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka commended Mubas for the innovation which he said it will not only boost agriculture productivity, but also help the university to be self- reliant. He noted that agriculture mechanisation production is key for the country saying limited farm mechanisation and over reliance on manual labour have all along hindered agriculture productivity.

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Lilongwe-based agricultural expert Alice Mukona, in an interview, observed that Mubas’ agriculture mechanisation unit will help to improve agricultural productivity. Besides the agriculture mechanisation unit, a standalone company, the university also has Mubas Commercial Limited which focuses on mining and plans to commence lime and cement production as well as gold mining. This comes at a time there is a fresh push for public universities to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship.

Responding to the push, Malawi University of Science and Technology plans to establish a hospital and start assembling information and communications technology (ICT) gadgets such as tablets, laptops, computers and mobile phones to enhance access and cut costs. While Mzuzu University already established Mzuni Hotel, mega farm and is planning to establish a solar farm to start generating solar powered electricity. On the other hand, University of Malawi showcased locally generated innovations that can improve service delivery in government ministries, departments and agencies.

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