Other
Crafts
At the Thyolo Craft Centre, staff make paper using a simple hand press which drains water from wood pulp. With this paper and other natural products, they create greeting cards and stationary. They also make decorative baobab trees (an indigenous Malawian tree) from dried banana leaves and wire. Many of those at the centre are skilled in bead work and produce colorful ornaments, ideal for hanging on their baobab trees, and embellish some of their handmade cards.
Textiles
As a source of income for millions of people, particularly those living in rural areas, the cotton-to-clothing sector is central to the country’s efforts in the fight against poverty. Being labour-intensive, the industry contributes to employment of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Garments and textiles industries have, over time, provided an opportunity to diversify exports and increase foreign exchange inflows.
Traditionally, cotton has been an important cash crop especially in the Shire Valley and the lakeshore districts of Karonga, Nkhota-kota, Salima and Balaka area. Almost all the cotton in Malawi is grown by smallholder farmers on plots of between 0.2 and 0.5 ha. along with other crops such as maize and drought resistant grains such as sorghum.
While the cotton industry in Malawi has, in the past, faced significant difficulties, the outlook for production in Malawi is improving. Recently (2007-08) a seed subsidy was introduced by the Government of Malawi (GoM) which has reduced the immediate seed cost to the farmer and the financial costs on the ginners who previously provided it on credit. In addition the GoM have set minimum prices since 2006-07, following a guideline price in the 2005-06 season.
Trade Connections has sourced Malawian cotton and other fabrics for various textile designers in Scotland.