A report by a London-based international economics think-tank, Legatum Institute, says unless government enhances agricultural productivity and fully commits to comprehensive democratization of economic, fiscal and administrative decentralization, the country is less likely to achieve the vision 2063.

The report titled “Pathways to Prosperity: Malawi Case Study”, which was released in Lilongwe on Tuesday, says agriculture is the most critical sector of the economy and it requires increased productivity and commercialization.

The report has emphasized on the need for government to enhance agricultural productivity through mindset change by shifting focus from Affordable Inputs Programme to provision of extension services and commercialization among other things if the country is to achieve the Malawi vision 2063.

In addition, the report has also observed that in order to succeed, the existing economic policies the country has, need to be to be complemented by political will and commitment, adding that fiscal, administrative, and political decentralization are also key

Further to this the report has also recommended that government should move away from fixed subsidies to increased private sector participation.

Speaking during the event the director of policy for the institute, Stephen Brien, said smallholder farmers need to be more connected by participating in more complex value chains.

And in his remarks, director general for National Planning Commission, Thomas Munthali, pointed out that the country’s laws, polices and strategies needs to talk to what the private sector needs if the 2063 goal is to be achieved.

Nevertheless, the report has also recommended the promotion of value addition and manufacturing, empowering of rural population and local businesses and also transformation of political institutions to achieve political accountability.