Bingu receives his award
by SUZGO KHUNGA - Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 14:41:55

President Bingu wa Mutharika on Thursday became the 16th recipient of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (Fao) Agricola medal bestowed on leaders who undertake measures to eradicate hunger.

Previous Agricola medal holders include the late Pope John Paul II, presidents of Ghana, Italy, Mozambique, Spain, Nigeria, Germany and India.

Bestowing the award on Mutharika at a dinner held at the New State House, Director General of Fao, Jacques Diouf said the Agricola medal was the highest distinction of the organisation to recognise personal support and determination to promote agriculture.

Diouf said because of Mutharika, Malawi had emerged as a true success story in Africa even in view of spectacular challenges of rising food and energy crisis.

“The organisation therefore confers medal the on a true leader and implementer of change who has shown that economic and social progress is possible,” Diouf said.

He added that even during times of global crisis, rising food and energy prices and climate change, Malawi had been able to contain food prices.

Diouf said the medal to Mutharika should serve as guidance to those countries facing similar obstacles to development and food security.

In his remarks upon receiving the medal, Mutharika said it was an honour and expressed happiness before dedicating the award to Malawians.

He said the medal was a result of the decision by Malawians to take control of their economy and food security.

“We have decided to achieve a faster rate of economic growth; we have decided to take development to rural areas and we have decided to grow enough food to feed ourselves.

“It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that such efforts are recognised beyond borders and that such hard work, resilience and perseverance have been acknowledged through this Agricola medal,” Mutharika said.

He said since 2006, the country has been able to produce its own food and was now able to feed itself without food aid.

Mutharika again took a swipe at his detractors who he said were claiming that there was impending hunger when Malawi has enough food.

He said National Food Reserve Agency had stored enough maize to take people through the season and beyond and even the traditional markets had enough food from which people were able to buy freely.

He accused opposition politicians of hoarding maize in warehouses locally and outside to create scarcity and frustrate his food security programme.

“Government was aware of this and we took effective measures that their evil scheme did not materialise. Therefore the articles you read in local papers and the internet that Malawi is facing impending hunger is false, malicious and cheap propaganda,” Mutharika said.

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