Greenbelt Authority engages Thyolo journalists on irrigation

By Beni Bamusi

Greenbelt Authority on Thursday conducted a media sensitisation in Thyolo on the mandate of the authority and what is expected from the media to ensure wider publicity of success of commercial irrigation and value adding chain in the country.

Speaking during the media engagement meeting Greenbelt Authority Director of Corporate Services, Rachel Silungwe said media is crucial in giving accurate information and update the public on the authority’s various undertakings.

Silungwe disclosed that in Thyolo, the Greenbelt Authority is in a shareholding agreement under Public Private Partnership Program with Mpatsa Holdings which has farms in Khonjeni area where banana is being cultivated.

“The venture with Mpatsa Holdings, a Malawian owned company which showed interest in public private partnership venture is at our advantage since it is local and we could easily do all assessment that we can because they are right here in Malawi,” she added.

Silungwe further said negotiations are under way with Comforzi Plantations Ltd for shareholding agreement.

The Green belt Authority emphasised that journalist should embrace solution-based journalism and that they should avoid misrepresentation of facts saying stories with mispresentation of facts put the reputation of the organisation in jeopardy.

In her remarks, Thyolo District Information Officer, Yamikani Yapuwa said she was grateful for the engagement and expressed hope that journalists in Thyolo District will write accurate and impactful stories as Greenbelt Authority explained its mandate on agricultural issues.

Malawi News Agency, Times, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Mzati Radio Station and Radar reporters attended the meeting.