Central Poultry boosts 150 farmers with chicks in Lilongwe

Empowering Malawi’s Agricultural Sector: Central Poultry Fuels Growth for 150 Lilongwe Farmers with Chicks Distribution

Post was last updated: August 1, 2025

Key Business Points

  • Empowerment through partnership: Central Poultry’s initiative provides small-scale farmers with essential resources and technical support, enabling them to thrive in the poultry industry and contribute to the local economy.
  • Addressing supply and demand gaps: By supporting local farmers, the programme aims to reduce Malawi’s reliance on imported poultry products and meet the growing demand for domestic poultry, thereby increasing food security and reducing prices for consumers.
  • Inclusive development and economic growth: The inclusion of vulnerable groups and community-based organizations in future phases reflects a commitment to addressing social disparities and promoting economic empowerment, which can have a positive impact on Malawi’s economic growth and poverty reduction efforts.

Central Poultry (CP), Malawi’s leading poultry producer, has launched an innovative empowerment programme to support over 150 small-scale poultry farmers in Lilongwe. The initiative provides farmers with chicks, vaccines, feed, and technical support, addressing the challenges faced by aspiring poultry farmers who lack resources and expertise. According to CP’s head of marketing, Mike Makwakwa, the programme aims to build resilience among local farmers and help Malawi meet its growing demand for poultry products.

The programme, currently in its pilot phase, targets farmers from Area 23, Area 18, Njewa, and Chitedze in Lilongwe. Farmers receive inputs as a non-interest loan, which they can repay by selling their grown chickens to CP or independently at market prices. This flexible repayment model ensures farmers can sustain their businesses while contributing to the local economy. As Josphine Kambanizithe, one of the beneficiary farmers, noted, "With this support, I am sure I will make my first K1 million by the end of this year."

The initiative is part of CP’s broader vision to scale up poultry farming across Malawi. Following the pilot in Lilongwe, the plan is to expand the programme to other districts, targeting not only individual farmers but also vulnerable groups and community-based organizations with an interest in poultry farming. Beneficiaries are identified through collaboration with traditional leaders and agricultural extension workers, ensuring that support reaches those most in need.

Malawi’s poultry sector is a critical component of the country’s agricultural economy, providing a source of income for many rural households and contributing to food security. However, the industry faces significant challenges, including high input costs, limited access to quality chicks and feed, and a lack of technical knowledge among small-scale farmers. Central Poultry’s initiative aligns with Malawi’s National Agriculture Policy, which emphasizes agricultural commercialization and empowerment of smallholder farmers.

The selection of Lilongwe as the pilot location is strategic, given its proximity to urban markets and its significant population of small-scale farmers. Areas like Njewa and Chitedze are known for their agricultural activity, making them ideal testing grounds for the programme. The inclusion of vulnerable groups and community-based organizations in future phases reflects a commitment to inclusive development, addressing gender and social disparities in access to agricultural opportunities.

This initiative also comes at a time when Malawi is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation and currency depreciation, which have driven up the cost of agricultural inputs. By offering non-interest loans, CP’s programme mitigates financial barriers, enabling farmers to invest in their businesses without the burden of high repayment costs. As the programme scales up, it has the potential to transform Malawi’s poultry industry, creating jobs, improving food security, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported poultry products. As Malawi’s business community would say, "Kusintha kwa zinthu" – things are changing for the better.

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Vanessa Banda
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