Lilongwe, 7 March 2023 (TDI): Russia’s Ambassador to Malawi and Zimbabwe, Nikolai Krasilnikov handed over 20,000 tons of complex fertilizers to Malawi on Monday.
Uralchem-Uralkali Group, Russia’s largest producer of mineral fertilizers donated the complex fertilizer to Malawi to support the humanitarian cause in the country.
The handover ceremony was held in Malawi’s Capital Lilongwe, where the Russian Ambassador handed the donation to the Minister for Agriculture of Malawi, Sam Dalitso Kawale.
The delivery of fertilizers to the African country was done in close cooperation with the UN World Food Programme, aiming to address the global food crisis.
During the handover ceremony, Uralchem Representative, Dmitry Shornikov said that the fertilizers will support the Malawi agriculture sector. He also expressed hope that the fertilizer will be used for an unintended purpose.
He also added, “Fertilizer is the first step to food security and we believe that unhindered access to food is a human right.
Today’s unprecedented hunger crisis in many parts of the world can only be alleviated by urgent and collective action on all levels.
As one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of fertilizers, we understand our special role and responsibility in securing food supply to those who need it most,”
Notably, the shipment of fertilizers is the first humanitarian consignment of the Uralkali Company. It is also part of the Company’s commitment to donating 300,000 tons of minerals to developing countries, the firm stated.
Furthermore, the firm also stated that the ports of the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and Belgium blocked more than 250,000 tons of the company’s fertilizers since November 2022 due to Russia-Ukraine Conflict sanctions imposed on Russia.
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Moscow has announced to supply the Russian fertilizers blocked in European ports to the poorest countries free of charge.
The shipment of fertilizers to Malawi is the first and only batch of Russian fertilizers blocked in Europe since November 2022 that was sent to Africa.
The remaining cargo is still unable to leave European ports which has caused disruption in the food supply chain in Africa.
