The Russian government has sent Malawi 20,000 tonnes of fertiliser as part of its diplomatic outreach to other African countries.
At a handover ceremony on Monday in the country’s capital, Lilongwe, Russian Ambassador to Malawi Nikolai Krasilnikov said that Russia will donate 260,000 tonnes of fertiliser to nations on the continent.
When they attend the second Russia-Africa summit, which will take place in St. Petersburg at the end of July, he expressed the hope that African leaders will push for the lifting of international sanctions on Russia.
The fertiliser was produced and given to Malawi by the Russian company Uralchem-Ukalkali, according to Dmitry Shornikov, the head of the company’s southern Africa branch, who was present at the handover.
According to Shornikov, the fertiliser should assist Malawi in achieving its objectives of significantly increasing agricultural production and assisting families in growing more wholesome and nourishing food.
Sam Kawale, Malawi’s minister of agriculture, predicted that the fertiliser will improve agricultural output in 400,000 farming households.
A representative of the World Food Program of the United Nations was also there.
Last year, Malawi decided to condemn Russia at the UN for invading Ukraine. More than 15 additional African nations stayed out of the vote.
