GBI Greenhouse Limited (GGL), Malawi's only large-scale greenhouse vegetable farm, is boosting local production and reducing the country's reliance on imported produce, according to Nyasa Times. Located near Kamuzu International Airport, the 30-hectare joint venture between Inosselia Commercial and the Malawi Government grows crops like bell peppers, tomatoes, and watermelons year-round. Over the past two years, the operation has exported 1,100 tons of bell peppers to South Africa.
Although management claims the farm is financially stable, GGL faces foreign exchange challenges. General Manager Tamandani Chanza stated that the farm relies on imported inputs and advanced irrigation technology, warning that missed farming seasons could result in lost revenue. However, the claims of financial stability omit the fact that the farm's private partner previously failed to repay a $5.6 million government-guaranteed loan. This default has left Malawian taxpayers to cover a $25,000 monthly operational bill, as previously reported by The Nation.
Update: Farmers continue to assess the damage from recent severe flooding across Malawi, which has claimed 13 lives and affected nearly 9,600 households. According to disaster management authorities, floodwaters have washed away livestock and vital export crops like tobacco. This loss further complicates the season for growers who are already dealing with high global fertiliser prices.