Following the successful launch of the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in Malawi under the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) visited Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) to strengthen collaboration on banana value chain transformation.

The delegation met LUANAR Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda and Dr. Abel Sefasi, Senior Lecturer and banana scientist, to discuss OCOP implementation and identify areas for technical support from CATAS.

Professor Kaunda said bananas are of great economic importance to Malawi and reaffirmed LUANAR’s commitment to seed system development, mass propagation through tissue culture, post-harvest handling, processing, and research on disease-resistant varieties. He added that LUANAR is ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CATAS to benefit from China’s advanced technologies and approaches.

Professor Jingyang Li, Principal Banana Expert from CATAS, welcomed the partnership and said the institution is willing to share expertise and strengthen LUANAR’s research capacity through knowledge exchange.

The collaboration marks a new chapter in LUANAR’s strategic plan, positioning the university as a key driver of innovation and sustainability in Malawi’s banana industry.

#LUANAR #FAO #CATAS #OCOP #BananaValueChain #SouthSouthCooperation #InnovationInAgriculture