Recently, AFAP showcased its efforts to transform Community-Based Financial Organizations (CBFOs) into competitive producer groups, specifically highlighting the Executive CBFO from Nkhatabay. During her remarks, IFAD’s Country Director, Bernadette Mukonyora, conveyed her pride in AFAP’s accomplishments in Malawi.

In recognition of AFAP Malawi’s impactful initiatives, FARMSE selected the Executive CBFO from Nkhatabay to showcase its value chain efforts at the 20^th National Agriculture Fair in Blantyre, Malawi, that was hosted August. This initiative underscores AFAP’s commitment to the Savings for Agriculture and Marketing (SAM) project, funded by FARMSE, which aims to enhance the livelihoods, food security, and economic well-being of 20,000 rural individuals by 2025. The project specifically targets 1,000 CBFOs, focusing on empowering 80% women and 40% youth through training in CBFO methodology, financial literacy, and business management.

AFAP’s strategy includes linking CBFOs to off-takers such as Homes Industries, ensuring access to quality inputs like Kilombero rice seeds and reliable markets through contract farming. This model not only enhances local food production and trade but also strengthens CBFOs, allowing them to invest in small-scale businesses and secure input loans from formal financial institutions. The Executive CBFO from Nkhatabay has notably evolved into a competitive producer group, now engaged in sorting, packaging, and aspiring to produce seeds for local communities.

The FARMSE stand at the fair received special recognition from the IFAD Malawi team, who commended AFAP’s commitment to empowering CBFOs. Mukonyora’s enthusiastic remarks reflect the potential for ongoing collaboration and the positive impact of AFAP’s work in the agricultural sector.