Michael Ganthu 54, has grown vegetables for sale at Chigwirizano Trading Centre outside Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital for 25 years.

“I inherited this piece of land from parents, and I have grown different crops including vegetables for about 25 years,” he added. Michael is one of the locals at Chigwirizano Trading Centre, and he confirmed hearing of plans to upgrade the earth Likuni-Chileka road to tarmac.

He explained that the news has brought excitement among the locals and users of the market centre.

“I can tell you that Chigwirizano is Lilongwe’s center; much of the farm produce sold in town originates here. “We grow almost everything and feed the town,” he explained.

Because of the city’s easily accessible markets, most residents at Chigwirizano and surrounding areas are farmers. For this reason, Michael continues to farm. “I raise various veggies, including tomatoes, mustard, and egg plants. The garden’s revenues benefit my family.”

He gave an example of how he is paying for two of his children’s university degrees at Catholic University. Michael’s narrative demonstrates the economic possibilities of the districts through which the Likuni-Chileka corridor road runs. Despite its poor condition, traders still use the road day and night as it is strategically located and links the rural and city areas.

The Millenium Challenge Corporation of the United States is financing the upgrade of this 53-kilometer corridor road, which is being built by the Malawian government under the Millennium Challenge Account-Malawi II Compact.

The new route is designed to shorten travel time for agricultural goods to reach city markets, eliminate obstacles such as a slick road surface, and save motorists from high costs of wear and tear.