EIF worked with local partners to address the multifaceted challenges that smallholder farmers are facing in Malawi. 

Results:

• Operated two anchor farms of 700 hectares and 850 hectares, and a total of 140 hectares of new land was cleared in 2016 to accommodate newly registered in-grower farmers.
• Worked with 3,537 farmers (385 in-growers and 3,152 out-growers).
• In 2016, yields for in-grower farmers were 30% more for soya beans and 42% more for groundnuts compared to smallholder farmers not participating.
• On average, the yield for out-grower farmers in 2016 was 19% and 35% more for soya beans and groundnuts, respectively, compared to unsupported farmers growing similar crops.
• 1,450 farmers trained in soya threshing, groundnut crop drying using the Mandela Cork method, grading of grain and storage.
• 44 farmers trained on pre/post-harvest handling of soya and groundnuts. These growers in turn trained members of groundnut and soya growing clubs.
• Post-harvest losses in the targeted project area reduced to 9.1% in 2016. The reduction resulted from enhanced application of post-harvest loss management skills and technologies adopted includ ing timely harvest, proper drying and proper storage.
• In 2016, exported 72.91MTs of soya beans to Botswana and 23.07 MTs of groundnuts to Zambia.
• Soya beans valued at $121,917 and groundnuts valued at $64,277 USD processed and certified.
• In the past, farmers have lacked leverage and often have to accept low prices for their products from agro-processors. To help farmers bargain for higher prices, meetings arranged between farmers and agro-processors so they could compare offers, resulting in farmers earning an average price of US$0.77/kg for ground nuts and US$0.54/kg for soya beans in 2016. This was a marked improvement over traditional markets, where the average prices were US$0.38/kg and US$0.40/kg for groundnuts and soya beans respectively.      

The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) is developing an Agro-Processing Special Economic Zone in order to support the promotion of commercial farming for priority crops. Malawian agro-processed products will be promoted through an MITC office in Tete, Mozambique to operate as a regional marketing office for Malawi’s products.

Results:

• Formed task force to spearhead the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and land for SEZs identified across the country.
• Established MITC office and Malawi Consular Office in Tete, Mozambique. By designating the office as a consulate and by covering the salary of the MITC officer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ensuring that the office will stay beyond project’s life.
• Completed market analysis in Zambia, revealing opportunity for Malawi to sell products in Lusaka and Chipata.
• Created new MITC website (http://trade.mitc.mw/) to promote interaction between MITC and clientele.
• $US47 million in exports generated
• Supported 15 companies, including 7 SMEs, to attend a trade fair in Zimbabwe. Export orders of over US$195 million generated.