4. SECTORAL OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

Introduction
In order for the National Science and Technology Policy to take effect, its specific objectives should be related to the policy objectives and strategies in all sectors of the economy. The implementation of the specific sectoral strategies will, therefore, provide a strong basis for the overall science and technology strategy for Malawi. Sectoral priorities would have to be determined by the respective sectoral agencies provided they are consistent with the overall science and technology policy objectives.

Education and Training
The overall policy in the education sector is to expand access at all levels of the education system with particular emphasis on primary and secondary education. Equal attention will be paid to improving the quality and efficiency in the sector and making the curriculum more responsive to national socio-economic development objectives.

1. Objectives
The major objectives are to:

1. Pre-school Education
   1. Ensure that all pre-schools provide toys and other relevant learning materials with S&T content; and
   2. Give awards for S&T excellence.
2. Primary School Education
   1. Strengthen S&T education through training of more teachers in S&T;
   2. Introduce specialization in the teaching of science subjects;
   3. Review the science curriculum to include practical components;
   4. Provide adequate teaching and learning materials;
   5. Introduce computer lessons;
   6. Intensify art, craft and design;
   7. Increase funding through traditional and non-traditional sources such as endowment funds and community contributions;
   8. Strengthen the use of the science curriculum in primary schools as a building block for secondary school science; and
   9. Give awards for S&T excellence.
3. Secondary School Education
   1. Increase the number of science and technology teachers with at least a bachelor's degree;
   2. Upgrade science and technology curricula to ensure that students completing secondary school attain a good “O” level standard and are computer literate;
   3. Train more science and technical teachers;
   4. Provide adequate equipment and materials for technical training;
   5. Designate an appropriate institute to train laboratory technicians and assistants to manage science and technology laboratories;
   6. Emphasize applied science by ensuring that school laboratories are adequately equipped and kept in good state of repair;
   7. Establish an independent evaluation unit for S&T education; and
   8. Give awards for S&T excellence.
4. Tertiary Education At the tertiary level, emphasis will be placed on creating a balance between the training of technical and professional human resources and the imparting of life-long skills that support sustainable livelihoods through technical, vocational, entrepreneurial and education training programmes.
   1. Expand vocational and higher education especially in the scientific, engineering and technological fields by establishing some of the constituent colleges of the University of Malawi as separate universities and designating atleast one as a University of Science and Technology and strengthen technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education programmes
   2. Review, develop and implement curricula that ensure effective S&T education and culture;
   3. Strengthen university faculties in S&T fields to enable them produce PhD and MSc. graduates on an annual basis;
   4. Strengthen links between industry and the university community through industry involvement in establishment of college-based innovation centers, the design of curricula, and conducting graduate research projects that address local problems and industrial needs;
   5. Establish scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in priority areas of science and technology;
   6. Introduce science and technology awards;
   7. Ensure adequate funding for research and training in tertiary institutions; and
   8. Strengthen R&D in various science and technology fields in the universities.

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Agriculture, Food and Nutrition

1. Introduction
The overall policy in agricultural productivity to enhance the social welfare and incomes of farmers and the prosperity and stability of the nation as a whole by improving self-sufficiency in food, expanding and diversifying export receipts from agricultural produce. In nutrition, a further objective is to ensure that families have access to food throughout the year by improving food production, availability, accessibility and utilization. Science and technology should be used for advancing these causes by, in the main, improving overall productivity in the agriculture, food and nutrition sector.

1. Agricultural Research
   1. Review the organizational aspects of the agricultural research system in order to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness including the possibility of corporatisation of agricultural research through the establishment of an appropriate parastatal institution;
   2. Develop, through research, high yielding varieties that are pest and disease tolerant or resistant for major food and cash crops while in the case of food crops, integrating nutritional aspects;
   3. Develop stable and sustainable cropping systems that can improve and maintain soil fertility through selective use of fertilizers such as legumes, compost and farm yard manure and chemical fertilizers;
   4. Conduct research into labour saving technologies so as to intensify farm mechanization to improve efficiency of farm and household activities;
   5. Strengthen research into the development of low cost crop storage and preservation technologies for a variety of crops to enhance their shelf-life;
   6. Develop appropriate technologies for small-scale irrigation, promote the use of wetlands and saline soils for irrigated agriculture and conduct studies on soil and water management techniques including watershed management;
   7. Intensify research into plant protection measures such as the use of pesticides, development of disease resistant crops; and integrated pest management;
   8. Improve genetic potential of indigenous livestock species for meat, dairy and draught through selecting and cross-breeding with suitable exotic species; and
   9. Intensify research and technology transfer in order to improve animal health including control of major livestock diseases and improvements in laboratory services and disease surveillance.
2. Agricultural Productivity and Extension The raising of agricultural productivity is a high priority issue in Malawi. In order to ensure that the extension system makes the necessary contribution, the strategies to be implemented will include taking action to:
   1. Encourage the adoption of technologies from the national research system that improve productivity;
   2. Train and equip extension workers to enable them provide the required services; and
   3. Establish close links between the extension services and the national research system including the parastatal institutions specializing in agricultural research.
3. Crop and Animal Production
   1. Develop and select affordable and practicable crop management practices including multiple cropping systems for major food and cash crops in order to sustain optimum yields with economic input levels;
   2. Develop and/or introduce more exportable crops which generate foreign exchange income for the country and generally improve crop marketing and packaging technologies;
   3. Develop efficient livestock management systems for all livestock production systems; and
   4. Improve cassava and sweet potato production by ensuring that farmers have ready and adequate access to planting material and the transfer of appropriate technologies for production of cassava and sweet potato to farmers.
4. Food and Nutrition Food security and nutrition are national priorities and science and technology is expected to contribute towards their promotion. The following strategies shall be adopted to achieve this:
   1. Increase food production by improving agricultural productivity of the major food crops including cassava, sweet potato, bananas and others;
   2. Diversify the national diet based on a variety of indigenous foods by developing recipes that are research-based and designate a national research institution which, together with a competent marketing agency, would promote a national dietary diversification programme;
   3. Provide surveillance services and education programmes on food and nutrition in order to ensure improvement in the nutritional status of the rural population particularly vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, convalescents and the aged; and
   4. Promote the processing and utilization of food crops and livestock products.

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Water Resources and Sanitation

1. Introduction
The overall goal of the Water Resources Management Policy also covers sanitation to ensure that every Malawian has equitable access, at an affordable cost, to adequate water for the sustainable development, social and economic welfare, and prosperity of the people of Malawi. In achieving this goal due attention will be paid on needs as they relate to community services, economic development and the environment.

2. Objectives
The objectives for the water resources and sanitation sector include those to:

1. Achieve sustainable and integrated water resources development and management that make water equitably accessible to and used by individuals and entrepreneurs in pursuit of their human and socio-economic development;
2. Advocate for effective and efficient management and utilisation of water resources and ensure conservation and availability to stakeholders in sufficient and acceptable quantities and qualities;
3. Ensure the existence of strategic and contingency water resources development and management schemes that guarantee availability of water even during droughts and mitigate the impacts of population pressure, floods, droughts and environmental degradation.
4. Advance public health, hygiene and pollution control through the incorporation of safe disposal and wastewater management in the planning, development and management of water supply services; and
5. Optimise the net social, economic and environmental benefits from public investment in water and water related programmes.

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Irrigation

1. Introduction
The occurrence of droughts and their negative effect on crop production has resulted in increased importance of irrigation development. Consequently, the overall goal of the irrigation policy is to facilitate the increase and stabilization of agricultural production through mobilization of small and large scale irrigation projects. This will be achieved with the human and financial resources from, and full participation of the beneficiaries which include the private sector, NGOs and the public sector. There will also be ample observance of environmental aspects to ensure sustained productivity and equitable involvement across all gender lines in order to ensure food security, effective poverty reduction and national economic development.

2. Objectives
The broad sectoral objectives for the irrigation sector are to:

1. Contribute to poverty reduction by targeting resource poor smallholder farmers for irrigation development to enhance farm income and supplement the recommended strategies for rain fed agriculture outlined in the Agricultural and Livestock Development Strategy and Action Plan;
2. Increase agricultural production and enhance food security through irrigation, which will ensure some crop production during droughts and the dry season;
3. Extend cropping opportunities and provide a wider variety of crops in both wet and dry seasons to improve nutritional status, especially of children and women;
4. Create an enabling environment for irrigated agriculture; by facilitating and encouraging the private sector to invest in irrigation development and encouraging rural communities to manage irrigation projects in order to fully utilize irrigatable land in Malawi;
5. Optimize government investment in irrigation development by applying principles of cost sharing and cost recovery;
6. Enhance human capacity for irrigated agriculture in the public, parastatal and private sector in order to facilitate effective research in irrigation technology and marketing of irrigated produce; and
7. Create the spirit of business culture in the small-scale irrigated agriculture sector to promote and provide competitive projects financing and improving the marketing system at national and international levels.

3. Strategies
In order to achieve the broad objectives of the irrigation policy, the following strategies have been adopted:-

1. Identify areas with irrigation potential in order to increase land put under irrigation based on the existing irrigation potential;
2. Enhance technical and administrative capacity in irrigated agriculture in the Irrigation Department, together with improved technical capacity in the private sector and training institutions so that in the next ten years, the private sector is able to take on irrigation/dam design and construction and the training institutions are able to offer diplomas/degrees and short courses in irrigation;
3. Assist smallholder farmers to develop and manage new and existing irrigation schemes through the establishment of local farmer organizations that can assume full ownership of existing irrigation schemes and new pilot schemes;
4. Transfer ownership of existing government schemes to the beneficiaries through participatory methods that will enhance farmers responsibility and obligations towards the management of the schemes;
5. Assist the informal irrigation sector through greater presence of the Irrigation Department at regional, district and community levels to provide irrigation technology advice where it is needed most;
6. Conduct research in irrigation technology in order to promote the use of appropriate advanced and simple technologies in irrigated agriculture with due attention to the efficient utilization of water resources;
7. Facilitate the establishment of a well coordinated marketing system with considerable local processing and better storage/transportation of farm produce; and
8. Address specific problems that women face in irrigated agriculture in order to achieve greater participation of women in the small-scale irrigation sector.

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Health and Population

1. Introduction
The overall policy goal of the health sector is to raise the level of health status of all Malawians by developing a delivery system capable of promoting health; preventing, reducing and curing diseases; protecting life; fostering general well being and increased productivity; and reducing the occurrence of premature death. Five supporting health sector policies have been adopted to guide the operations of the sector namely; the establishment of an essential health care package, the Bakili Muluzi Health Initiative, a sector wide approach, decentralisation of health care management and strengthening of cost recovery. Recognising the role of traditional medicine in health services delivery, it will be essential to initiate under this National Science and Technology Policy, programmes that promote research into the use and effectiveness of medicinal plants for the treatment of common local diseases and, through an appropriate institution, establish a National Programme of Action in traditional medicine. The central feature of the population policy, on the other hand, is to ensure that the future growth of the population is kept within manageable and sustainable limits while maintaining the right of each individual and couple to decide for themselves the number of children they wish to bear.

2. Objectives
The overall policy objectives for the health and population sector are to:-

1. Expand the range and quality of health services focused on maternal health and children under the age of 5 years;
2. Improve the general health status of the population by strengthening, expanding and integrating relevant health services;
3. Increase access to health care facilities and basic health care services;
4. Increase, retain and improve the quality of trained human resources and distribute them efficiently and equitably;
5. Provide better quality health care in all health facilities;
6. Improve efficiency and equity in resource allocation;
7. Strengthen collaboration and partnership between the health sector, communities, private providers and other sectors;
8. Strengthen programmes that increase awareness of the population problem through information, education and communication;
9. Improve the status of women, youth and special groups; and
10. Improve the health care information systems for better planning.

3. Strategies
The health and population sector has outlined a number of strategies for achieving the policy objectives including the following which the National Science and Technology Policy has the potential to contribute towards:

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Energy

1. Introduction
The overall policy for the energy sector is to ensure adequate and sustained supplies of energy for continued economic growth and development. The energy policy recognizes the dependence of Malawi on imported energy sources especially petroleum products and the importance of developing and utilizing indigenous energy resources especially renewable energy such as bio-mass, solar, wind, mini/micro hydro and geothermal energy.

2. Objectives
The major sectoral objectives are to:

1. Minimize the impact of the high cost of the incentives in the supply of imported oil and coal;
2. Develop a sustainable programme to meet wood-fuel needs of the population;
3. Develop electric power supply in a least cost manner to meet the demands of economic and social development of Malawi; and
4. Develop and utilize renewable and alternative energy resources such as solar and wind.

3. Strategies
The major strategies for achieving the above objectives are to:

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Industry

1. Introduction
The Government's overall policy for the industrial sector centres on the creation of enterprises that are export-oriented so as to increase the volume and diversify the range of manufactured exports and broaden the industrial base while focusing on the development of small and medium scale industries. It also aims at improving the development and application of science and technology to enhance domestic and international industrial competitiveness and the development of a support structure for industrial growth especially now that labour intensive industries are phasing out in most countries.

2. Objectives
The major objectives for the industrial sector are to:

1. Intensify investment promotion efforts to attract an increased flow of capital into the manufacturing sector from domestic and foreign sources;
2. Promote strategic industrial sub-sectors and product groups on the basis of their potential to maximize economic and social benefits;
3. Promote industrial linkages within the manufacturing sector and between the sector and the rest of the economy;
4. Optimize the exploitation of natural resources;
5. Promote linkages between R&D institutions and industry;
6. Promote export oriented industrialization; and
7. Enhance environmentally sustainable industrial development.

1. Establish a National Productivity Centre;
2. Encourage industrial research and technology development;
3. Strengthen the institutional capacity to support industrial research and technology development as well as standardization and quality management;
4. Establish, in partnership with the private sector, a Technology Development Fund;
5. Encourage the designation of an existing institution into a National Design Centre that will put emphasis on the development of export products; and
6. Promote the development and utilization of science and technology in the industrial sector through the following specific strategies: -
   1. Enhance linkages between R&D institutions and industry through encouraging contract research fully or partially funded by the industry;
   2. Promote tripartite research designed to bring together the research efforts of R&D institutions, industry and Government;
   3. Provide assistance for project feasibility studies, engineering consultancy and design services;
   4. Establish an S&T information system for the industrial sector in order to enable policy and decision makers to continuously evaluate national technological capabilities and regularly assess national industrial technological needs and foreign suppliers of industrial technology;
   5. Promote the diffusion of indigenous technologies through appropriate channels such as demonstrations, exhibitions, provision of industrial extension services and establishment of special prizes and awards for innovators and inventors;
   6. Promote the acquisition of foreign technology through direct investment in a manner that enhances vertical transfer of technology. This will require the development of capacity to screen transfer agreements;
   7. Develop local engineering services that support activities at pre-investment, investment and post-investment stages of industrial project planning and implementation to facilitate unpackaging of technology and develop local skills;
   8. Develop an Industrial Technology Development Action Plan which addresses leadership in industrial technology development and R&D in the private sector;
   9. Build competence in key emerging technologies such as biotechnology, advanced materials, information and communication technology, and electronics; and
   10. Establish schemes that promote development and utilization of S&T in the industrial sector including special tax incentives to firms that commercialize new technology, preferential treatment for users of indigenous technology, and provision of venture capital and risk financing schemes.

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Commerce

1. Introduction
Tobacco, tea and sugar, account for 80 per cent of Malawi's total foreign exchange earnings while high value manufactured goods contribute less than 10 per cent. There is national realization that if the economy is to improve, continued reliance on agricultural exports is limiting. This has revealed the need for a well thought-out programme of product development and adaptation, and the importance of increasing the local content of manufactured products through the use of local resources. Research and development will play a vital role in achieving these ends. This national science and technology policy shall support the development of the sector by enhancing the use of information and communication technology to promote trade between Malawi and all her trading partners.

2. Objectives
The main objectives for the commerce sector are to:

1. Ensure the supply of essential goods and services throughout the country through efficient distribution and procurement;
2. Consolidate existing and diversify export markets to generate foreign exchange;
3. Diversify and promote alternative export products;
4. Promote effective use of information and communication technologies; and
5. Develop a conducive trade environment.

3. Strategies
In order to achieve these objectives, the following strategies have, among others, been identified and documented in the Integrated Trade and Industry Policy:

1. Accord priority to the creation of a trade and industrial information infrastructure in Malawi and ensure that relevant information is disseminated to users;
2. Accord priority to human resource development with specific reference to the needs of the trade and industry sectors;
3. Emphasize export market development and product diversification;
4. Promote the processing of raw materials into value-added manufactured products;
5. Introduce an "exporters first" strategy to target enterprises with capacity of exporting goods and services; and
6. Implement the World Trade Organisation Agreement and others to which Malawi is a signatory.

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Environment

1. Introduction
The overall goal of the environmental policy is to promote sustainable social and economic development through the sound management of the environment. The policy seeks to promote efficient utilization and management of natural resources, facilitate the rehabilitation and management of essential ecosystems and ecological processes. In addition, the policy will enhance public awareness on the importance of sound environmental management; and promote cooperation between Government, local communities, women groups, NGOs and the private sector in the management and sustainable utilization of natural resources and the environment.

2. Objectives
The major objectives for the environmental sector are to:

1. Improve human welfare through effective environmental management;
2. Ensure that individuals and economic entities are given appropriate incentives for sustainable natural resource use and environmental protection;
3. Increase public and political awareness and understanding of the need for sustained environmental protection, conservation and management;
4. Provide training needed to implement a national programme of environmental protection, conservation and management and carry out basic and applied demand-driven research to support sustainable management of the environment;
5. Conserve, manage and utilize in a sustainable manner the country's biological diversity for the preservation of the national heritage; and
6. Promote sustainable use of land resources of Malawi, primarily but not exclusively, for agricultural purposes by strengthening and defining security of tenure over land resources.

3. Strategies
The major strategies for achieving the above major objectives are to:

1. Enhance agricultural productivity for farmers in order to promote sustainable use of natural resources;
2. Offer land users a reduced land or property tax or rents for practicing soil and water conservation methods, agro-forestry techniques, good husbandry practices, development and maintenance of wood-lots, or use of appropriate livestock stocking rates;
3. Encourage and finance research programmes on environmental management;
4. Identify valuable areas of bio-diversity outside protected areas in consultation with local communities, explore means of protecting such areas, purchase of land-use rights and conservation easements;
5. Develop a land use policy to guide and ensure sustainable land utilization and development;
6. Develop and implement a national programme to rehabilitate highly degraded areas.

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Construction

1. Introduction
The construction industry in Malawi is guided, at the policy level, by the National Construction Industry Act, (1996) which established the National Construction Industry Council. The Council's main responsibilities are promoting and developing the construction industry, registering persons engaged in the construction industry, and coordinating training of persons engaged in the construction industry. The construction industry covers various sub-sectors such as housing, roads and related works and is generally recognised as a potential source of economic growth and employment creation. It is ideally suited for the application of technologies for the benefit of the community, hence science and technology has a key role to play in its development.

2. Objectives
The major policy objectives for the sector are to:-

1. Improve the mechanism of planning and execution of public sector construction and civil engineering capital investments and maintenance projects so as to ensure stability and continuity of the industry. 4.11.2.2 Improve arrangements for consultation within the industry and between the industry and Government and other interested bodies in order to review, monitor, and evaluate progress towards sector objectives; 4.11.2.3 Review the respective roles and responsibilities of the various component parts of the industry and how these change over time; 4.11.2.4 Introduce a long term training programme for the professional, technical and managerial skills of the industry; 4.11.2.5 Stimulate the growth and development of an efficient Malawian owned consulting and construction civil engineering firms through training; 4.11.2.6 Encourage the formation and development of small scale construction firms; and 4.11.2.7 Improve the operational productivity of the public sector component of the industry.
   
   In the housing and roads sub-sectors, the specific objectives to which S&T could make direct contribution include the following:

   1. Expand the supply and use of alternative building materials;
   2. Improve the quality of rural housing; and
   3. Encourage environmental and energy conservation in road construction and transport projects and programmes.

11. Strategies
In order to realize the broad policy objectives in the construction sector, a wide range of strategies have been outlined in the specific policy statements including the following towards which Science and Technology should make direct contributions:

1. Conduct research on and promote the development and use of competitive local materials;
2. Promote and facilitate, where possible, the construction of affordable low-cost houses;
3. Promote safety standards in the construction industry;
4. Conduct and coordinate training of persons engaged in the construction industry within Malawi to promote the development of local skills;
5. Support the commercial production of local building materials;
6. Develop sustainable technologies for rural users;
7. Train local building material producers and suppliers in quality control and provide facilities for quality control and certification; and
8. Provide for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and energy conservation in the planning and construction of roads and buildings.

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Communications

1. Introduction
Information has become a tradable commodity and a communications system governs the way information is transferred. The communications sector; which is driven by rapid technological innovation, increasing globalization, stiffer competition and huge capital requirements; has recently been deregulated by Government. The sector consists of three key sub-sectors of telecommunications, postal services and broadcasting. The communications policy has outlined specific policy objectives and strategies for these sub-sectors.

2. Objectives

1. Telecommunications
   The key objectives for this sub-sector are to:

   1. Increase the number of working telephone lines;
   2. Ensure that the quality of service meets acceptable international standards;
   3. Liberalize the market in respect of the provision of services such as internet, e-mail, data and paging;
   4. Reduce the price of telecommunication services in real terms;
   5. Ensure extension of modern telecommunication services to rural areas; and
   6. Allow private sector participation in the provision of telecommunication services.

2. Postal Services
   The key sectoral objectives for the postal services sub-sector are to:

   1. Re-orient the sector into a viable and sustainable venture that is capable to cover its operational costs after an initial transitional period; and
   2. Create a postal service which will be reliable and efficient and which will provide services at affordable rates to the majority of the people.

3. Broadcasting Services
   The key sectoral objectives for the broadcasting services sub-sector are to:-

   1. Ensure that the full range of broadcasting services are made available to the people; and
   2. Reconstitute the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation so that it meets the aspirations of the people under the new political dispensation.

3. Strategies
The main strategies for realizing the policy objectives outlined in the National Communications Policy are as follows:

1. Establish a Malawi Telecommunications Company as a national operator capable of modernizing telephone services and meeting annual roll-out targets for installation of new telephone lines while ensuring priority for public services, schools and commercial enterprises;
2. Seek a strategic partner for the national operator whose contributions would include the transfer of technology and development of human resources;
3. Allow the establishment of other local operators, cable TV networks, non-basic telecommunications service providers, mobile and radio service providers, VSAT networks and telephone service providers;
4. Outline a postal development plan that focuses on training of staff in all aspects of postal services;
5. Commercialize the operations of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation; and
6. Regulate telecommunications, posts and broadcasting services; and manage and monitor the radio frequency spectrum with due respect to international conventions.

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Transport

1. Introduction
Transport is considered as a service sector whose role, in addition to stimulating economic growth, includes meeting effective consumer demand. Since Malawi's economy depends heavily on international trade, the availability of external transport links is considered as crucial. Although there have been a number of policy reforms in the sector aimed at promoting the operation of a competitive and efficient transport system, the need for continuous policy reform has been recognised. The transport sector in Malawi consists of four main sub-sectors of road, rail, air and water.

2. Objectives
With the overall goal of providing a coordinated transport environment that fosters a safe and competitive operation of commercially viable, financially sustainable and environmentally friendly transport services and enterprises, the major sectoral objectives on which the National Science and Technology Policy will impact are to;

1. Meet economic demand and socio-political needs while minimizing cost to the economy;
2. Minimize negative impacts of transport sector activities on the environment;
3. Strengthen institutional capacity of the transport sector through human resource development;
4. Improve transport safety;
5. Provide meteorological services and products to suit individual transport mode so as to realize maximum benefits and minimize losses; and
6. Develop and disseminate improved technologies to target groups.

3. Strategies
In order to realize the sectoral objectives, a number of sub-sector specific strategies have been adopted including the following that require the support of the National Science and Technology Policy:-

Natural Resources

1. Forestry

1. Introduction
   The goal of the National Forest Policy of Malawi is to sustain the contribution of the national forest resources to the improvement of the quality of life in the country by conserving the resources for the benefit of the nation. The Forestry Research Institute of Malawi is the focal point for R&D activities in the forestry sub-sector. The mission of the Institute is to provide timely information to the private and public sectors. The institute aims at developing technologies for silviculture management and multiple land use systems for sustained wood production, reduce risk of losses from timber and tree pests and diseases; and providing advice on the best use of forest products following sound ecological conservation and management principles.
   

2. Objectives
   The general objectives of the National Forest Policy are to:
   1. Allow all citizens to have regulated and monitored access to some forest products;
   2. Improving the quality of life in the rural communities and providing a stable local economy, in order to reduce the degenerative impact on the environment; and
   3. Establish appropriate incentives that will promote community-based conservation and sustainable utilisation of forest resources as a means of achieving sustainable self-sufficiency in wood and forest-derived products.
   
   
3. Strategies
   The Forestry Policy outlines clearly the range of specific strategies that will be used to achieve the sectoral objectives including the following towards which science and technology has the capacity to make specific contributions:-

   1. Undertake endogenously, well designed and relevant research programmes in collaboration with local and external organisations to generate usable technologies or adapt to local conditions exogenous technologies, in order to improve and achieve sustainable management and utilisation of forests and tree resources;
   2. Develop and disseminate to target groups improved technologies for the development and management of trees and forests optimal harvesting including silvicultural and protection measures to ensure sustainable production of wood and non-wood products;
   3. Reduce dependence on wood-fuel as a source of energy; and
   4. Develop requisite high quality human resources through education and training in order to strengthen the institutional capacity required to effectively manage forest resources.

2. Fisheries

1. Introduction
   Malawi has a significant quantity of fish resources that provide a larger portion of animal protein intake of the population. The overall goal of the National Fisheries Policy is to sustain the contribution of the national fish resources in order to uplift the quality of life in Malawi by conserving the resources for the benefit of the present and future generations. The Department of Fisheries, which has the responsibility of implementing the policy, undertakes research and development through a network of fisheries research institutions. The research programmes aim at generating information and technologies required for the management, conservation and sustainable utilisation of fish resources in the various water bodies of Malawi.

2. Objectives
   The general objectives of the National Fisheries Policy aim at monitoring and controlling fishing activities with a view to increasing productivity within sustainable yields. The policy also aims at enhancing the quality of life to the fishing communities and promoting aquaculture as a source of income and as a supplement to fish supplies from natural waters. The specific objectives towards which science and technology would make a contribution are as follows:- i. Create the capacity of the local communities, in partnership with the Department of Fisheries, to manage and regulate the utilisation of fish resources in Malawi and to promote aquaculture; ii. Provide the information necessary for sustainable exploitation, management, conservation of biological diversity and investment in the fisheries sector through appropriate biological, technological, sociological and environmental research programmes; iii. Establish and sustain the co-management of fish resources between the Department of Fisheries and key stakeholders in order to achieve sustainable aquatic resources management for the artisanal fisheries; iv. Increase and sustain fish production from smallholder and large fish farming operations in order to improve fish supply in Malawi; v. Develop capacity by providing appropriate training programmes for the Department of Fisheries and user communities in Malawi; and vi. Promote sustainable utilization of fish resources in the riverine and adjacent floodplains and wetlands in recognition of the commitment of Malawi to maintain biodiversity.

3. Strategies
   The strategies that have been put in place to achieve these policy objectives, in relation to science and technology, include taking action to:

   1. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the extension service;
   2. Review research priorities to address actual fishing community needs/problems and make use of indigenous fisheries knowledge;
   3. Promote the implementation of demand driven, service-oriented research focussing on problems identified with the stakeholders in the fishing industry;
   4. Provide reliable information on the status of exploited fish stocks, economic and environmental parameters including information on noxious aquatic weeds in all water bodies and under-exploited resources to the fishing sector;
   5. Establish an information system to quantify the impact of pollution on the fisheries resources;
   6. Develop and maintain the capacity to monitor, support and conduct research in participatory fisheries management within the Department of Fisheries;
   7. Solve problems related to fish farming and the management of small water bodies through bio-technical research;
   8. Develop adaptive/appropriate recommendations for fish farming;
   9. Encourage farmers to adopt fish farming as a source of subsistence and income;
   10. Develop and provide adequate broad range demand-driven training courses for fisheries, co-management and aquaculture to support user communities;
   11. Encourage collaboration at national, regional and international levels in areas of training, research and consultancies for the fishing sector; and
   12. Manage fisheries in the riverine and adjacent floodplains and wetlands based on sound understanding and knowledge of the biology of target species and the impacts of harvesting to the eco-systems.

3. Wildlife

1. Introduction
   The National Wildlife Policy provides insight into the management of wildlife as a renewable resource with the potential to provide a multitude of utilitarian benefits to the people of Malawi. The goal of the policy is to ensure the proper conservation and management of wildlife resources in order to provide for sustainable utilisation and equitable access to the resources and fair sharing of the benefits for both present and future generations of Malawians.

2. Objectives
   In order to achieve the policy goal, the policy seeks to meet the following set of objectives:-

   1. Ensure the adequate protection of representative ecosystems and their biological diversity through promotion and adoption of appropriate land management practices;
   2. Enhance public awareness and understanding of the importance of wildlife conservation and management and its close relationships with other forms of land use;
   3. Take the necessary legislative steps as well as pertinent enforcement measures to curtail the illegal use of wildlife;
   4. Create an enabling environment for wildlife-based enterprises; and
   5. Develop a cost-effective legal, administrative and institutional framework for managing wildlife resources without compromising the special ecological attributes of the resources.

3. Strategies
   The National Wildlife Policy recognises the importance of research, monitoring and adaptive management of wildlife resources and the need for conservation activities based on sound knowledge of the ecosystem in order to maintain an ecological balance with respective biotic communities as well as the potential for their sustainable use. Consequently, the following strategies for wildlife research have been outlined in the policy:
   1. Strengthen capacity of the Wildlife Research Unit;
   2. Improve communication and co-ordination links between the Research Unit and other units of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife;
   3. Design flexible wildlife conservation and management activities to allow for monitoring, evaluation and adjustment where necessary;
   4. Determine and regularly review research priorities;
   5. Establish, review and/or update monitoring procedures for management activities in order to allow for the incorporation of research findings;
   6. Strengthen data collection capacities within the Research Unit and outside including communities;
   7. Establish collaborative links with external researchers and research institutions; and
   8. Determine guidelines and fees, as appropriate, for external research in the wildlife sector.

4. Mineral Resources

1. Introduction
   The policy goal with regard to mineral resources is to maximise the economic benefit to the nation that can be realised from the exploitation of its mineral resources, from both existing and possible new ventures, in an environmentally friendly manner. The overall implementation of the policy rests with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs but is delegated to the Department of Mines and the Department of Geological Survey. The Department of Geological Survey undertakes applied research on the utilisation of industrial minerals in the local industry.

2. Objectives
   In order to achieve the policy goal, the following general policy objectives have been adopted:
   1. Promote mining by the private sector to promote diversification of the national economic base;
   2. Promote local utilisation of indigenous mineral resources in order to enhance value-additio
   3. Increase the contribution of the mining sector to GDP, Government revenue; and foreign exchange earnings;
   4. Ensure that mining activities are conducted in an orderly and environmentally friendly manner;
   5. Promote and encourage fossil fuel utilisation in order to reduce deforestation;
   6. Intensify and accelerate the exploration and evaluation of mineral resources; and
   7. Monitor and maintain records on occurrences of natural geological hazards.

3. Strategies
   The strategies for achieving the policy objectives involve taking action to:-

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Urban and Rural Planning

1. Introduction
The overall policy governing urban and rural planning relate to spatially balanced development; human settlements and service centres; spatial coordination and development; and the use of land. This national science and technology policy will support this sector by advocating the development of human resources capable of utilizing science and technology to further enhance achievements already made in urban and rural planning.

2. Objectives
The major objectives are to:

1. Integrate all aspects of physical planning into national programmes of development so that physical development of Malawi is accomplished with the optimal use of all national resources both, human and physical;
2. Provide a spatial framework for the coordination and implementation of sectoral programmes and development projects;
3. Facilitate the promotion of a more spatially balanced economic growth that will ensure an optimal distribution of productive activities and population;
4. Provide the development of a system of urban and rural settlements and hierarchy of service centres that will be in conformity with the location of natural and human resources and permit the provision of infrastructure and other facilities on an economic basis;
5. Provide guidelines for the development of a transportation network to strengthen the functional links between rural and urban settlements with respect to the movement of people, commodity flows, the delivery of services, and general socio-economic activities;
6. Provide a spatial framework for the provision of physical infrastructure and social services in relation to the distribution of productive activities and population; and
7. Rationalize and promote the optional use of land and, in particular, the preservation of the best arable land.

2. Strategies
The strategies for achieving these objectives include taking action to:

1. Promote the most efficient use of national resources;
2. Encourage the participation of physical planners at an early stage of implementation of national development projects and programmes;
3. Provide incentives that would attract economic activities to be located at designated centres nationally;
4. Encourage the establishment of land settlement schemes and undertake land policy reform measures from time to time; and
5. Diversify external transport corridors, further develop the national road network; and improve the mobility of people and their access to rural and urban service centres.

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Defence

1. Introduction
The Ministry of Defence has the overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the National Defence Policy. Although there are no written policies that guide military research and development, the Ministry of Defence is aware of the need to regulate the management of military equipment. The Ministry of Defence is also aware of the need for such policies to address the objectives stated below.

2. Objectives
The main Defence Policy objectives towards which this national science and technology policy would make contribution are to:

1. Promote basic level research and development aimed at identifying appropriate military technology for Malawi; and
2. Guide adequately the planning for procurement of new equipment, replacement and maintenance.

3. Strategies
The strategies relevant for achieving these objectives are to:

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Internal Security

1. Introduction
The Malawi Police Service has the constitutional mandate for the protection of public safety and for the rights of persons in Malawi. The major focus of the Malawi Police is the prevention and reduction of criminal activities, the maintenance of public order and internal security, detection of crime, apprehension and prosecution of offenders and the promotion of public safety on roads. In fulfilling its mandate, the Malawi Police depends significantly on various forms of technology.

2. Objectives
The objectives include:-

1. Promotion of the development and application of S&T capabilities for internal security;
2. Improvement on the application of information and communication technologies for internal security; and
3. Development of forensic science capabilities for internal security.

3. Strategies
The strategies for achieving these objectives include taking action to:

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Disabilities

1. Introduction
Science and Technology has the potential to reduce the suffering of persons with disabilities. Therefore, the state should assume an ultimate responsibility for the collection and dissemination of information on the living conditions of persons with disabilities and the promotion of comprehensive research on all aspects including obstacles that affect the lives of persons with disabilities.

2. Objectives
The objectives include to:

3. Strategies
The following strategies will be used to realise the above objectives:

Integrate disability issues into general research and training through the establishment of a forum where researchers and the disability sector can exchange information;
Develop a national database on disability-focused research that should include statistics on available services and programmes as well as on the different groups of persons with disabilities;
Develop national guidelines and minimum norms and standards for disability related research;
Promote and facilitate disability-focused research by the research community disaggregated by gender and age;
Collect data on persons with disabilities during national censuses and household surveys in collaboration with universities, research institutes and organisations of persons with disabilities; and
Facilitate better co-ordination of research, science and technology pertaining disabilities.