MALAWI: ECM Chairman recommends Agri-Preneurship Program for Food Security and Self-Sustainability in Africa
Participants of the Agri-preneurship curriculum harmonization meeting held in Lilongwe between 12th and 13th June 2018
PMS-USA supported agripreneurship program in Africa has been described as a way to achieve sustainability and food security as it encourages countries to change from donor dependency to self-sustainability thereby sharing the Holy Father’s dream of building a sustainable church in Africa.
The recommendation was made by Most Rev. Thomas Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre at Africa Agri-preneurship curriculum harmonization meeting which took place from 12-13 June at Msamba Pastoral Centre in Lilongwe Malawi. Archbishop Msusa encouraged participants to harmonize and contextualize various approaches of making the agripreneurship program a reality in Africa. In his words he said the program resonates well with the old Chinese proverb that encourages teaching a man how to fish than giving him fish.
“We cannot continuously expect the traditional foreign aid, which is aimed at consumption, to pull us out of poverty. The history of donor support for ages immemorial is our proof that the church in Africa needs to change from donor dependency which is not sustainable to self-support or self-reliance through investments like in Agribusiness,” said Archbishop Msusa.
He added that the church in Africa can become a food basket and even support the global church if only it changes the way of doing things and proactively commit itself to eradication of poverty, promotion of human dignity, equality, peace, democracy and environmental sustainability.
PMS USA representative, John O’Neil encouraged all the countries to never lose the professionalism, enthusiasm and community spirit which shows that they have received the initiative well.
“You guys are doing the hard part of the initiative and we appreciate your effort, let’s not lose the momentum and the inspiration. You are so close to the solutions to problems Africa is facing and this meeting has proven that. We thank you for making this Initiative a reality”, said O’Neil.
Echoing the sentiments, Africa’s Agri-prenuership coordinator, Fr. Celestino Bundi from Kenya appreciated the teamwork and unity shown by the group and encouraged them to continue sharing knowledge and practices and to utilize Agri-preneurship to develop the church in Africa.
“Africa is a rich continent that has been destroyed by bad leadership, civil war, corruption and HIV/AIDS, time has come for change, to feed ourselves and provide food to the world, the church really needed this mindset change and let this support from PMS USA be our motivation. We have to build the local church’s capacity to use the available resources and generate wealth and be able to give”, pleaded Fr. Bundi
The meeting drew together Academicians, PMS National Directors and Agriculture Experts from Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Rwanda, Nigeria, Malawi and PMS USA, the sponsors of the program.
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By: Stella Zulu, ECM Communications Office
