Key Business Points
- Smallholder farmers in Malawi should adopt a business mindset to contribute to the sector’s revitalisation, focusing on "farming for profit" to increase income and improve livelihoods.
- The Commercial Agriculture for Smallholder and Agribusiness (Casa) programme has empowered over 84,000 farmers with skills and knowledge to venture into agribusiness, leading to the establishment of 20 new farming enterprises.
- To capitalize on these opportunities, farmers should put their new skills into practice, producing high-quality products for the market and adopting a more business-oriented approach to farming.
Malawi’s smallholder farmers are being urged to shift away from subsistence farming and towards a more business-oriented approach, with the goal of revitalizing the country’s agricultural sector. The sector’s growth is crucial for Malawi’s economic development, and experts believe that by adopting a business mindset, smallholder farmers can increase their income and improve their livelihoods. This mindset shift is being promoted through the Commercial Agriculture for Smallholder and Agribusiness (Casa) programme, which has reached over 84,000 farmers across the country since its inception six years ago.
The Casa programme, funded by the British government, has provided farmers with the necessary tools and expertise to transition into commercial farming. The programme’s success has been marked by the establishment of 20 new livelihood and poultry farming enterprises in Malawi, demonstrating the potential for smallholder farmers to contribute to the country’s economic growth. Director of Animal Health and Livestock Development in the Ministry of Health Julius Chulu has urged farmers to put their new skills into practice, emphasizing the need for tangible results from the programme.
As Malawi’s business community looks to the future, opportunities for investment and growth in the agricultural sector are vast. By adopting a business-oriented approach to farming, smallholder farmers can not only improve their own livelihoods but also contribute to the country’s broader economic development. As the Casa programme comes to a close, its legacy is expected to continue, empowering Malawi’s smallholder farmers to thrive in a rapidly changing market. With the right mindset and support, these farmers can capitalize on the country’s rich agricultural resources and drive growth in the sector.
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