Malawi to increase science investment
02/07/2009
The newly-elected president of Malawi has announced plans to increase the country's investment in science to help boost the economy.
SciDev.Net reports that Bingu wa Mutharika is committed to ensuring the development of science and technology by increasing the national budget when it is announced later in the month.
It is expected that the extra spending will also cover the creation of a new Commission of Science and Technology.
Alfred Maluwa, Malawi's deputy director of science and technology, explained: "Once the commission is established there will be no duplication of efforts on science and technology.
"All the activities will be coordinated under the umbrella of the commission."
The president also revealed government plans to increase the production of solar, wind and geothermal energy as part its rural electricity project.
Meanwhile, the Mail & Guardian reports that the ongoing focus on small-scale farming is having a positive impact on the country's food security. 
