A second Financial and Economic Review by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has shown that agriculture is expected to increase to 3.9% in 2019 up from 0.9% last year.

According to the review, the estimate above goes with another estimates; 3.6% growth in the mining sector, 4.6% growth in manufacturing sector, and in other sectors is expected to propel the economy to 5.0% up from the anticipated 4.0% in 2018. The report says the growth will mainly be driven by crop and animal production; and fishing and aquaculture sub-sectors and the anticipated performance of the sector is expected to have a positive bearing on the general economic activity of the country.

The agriculture sector continues to be the largest contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 27.1%. Meanwhile, the wholesale and retail trade sector is projected to record a growth of 4.5%, higher than 4.1% recorded in 2018 and lower than 5.0% recorded in 2017.

The sector anticipates a slight growth in 2019 on account of a better agricultural season which translates into increased disposable income for the population, according to RBM.