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Transforming Agriculture in Malawi: AFAP's SAM Project Shines in Chitipa District

04 Apr 2024

In a recent field visit led by AFAP Malawi Country Director Margaret Mukwenha, Tubepoka Community Based Financial Organization (CBFO) in Chitipa District showcased impressive achievements under the AFAP-supported Savings for Agriculture and Marketing (SAM) project. Funded by the Malawi Government through the Financial Access for Rural Markets Smallholder and Enterprises (FARMSE) program, this initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers and improve agricultural practices.

The community’s development was greatly aided by significant interventions made by AFAP, including as access to markets and providers of inputs, a variety of training programs, and links to formal financial institutions (FFIs). With the support of AFAP’s activities, the CBFO showed noteworthy progress and favourable results.

AFAP’s training covered essential topics such as Household Methodology, Gender Transformative Approaches, Business and Entrepreneurship Management, Environmental and Social Risk Management, Nutrition and WASH, Village Savings and Loans methodology, and Good Governance.

Financial linkages facilitated by AFAP led CBFOs to open accounts with FDH Bank, CUMO Microfinance, and NBS Bank, enabling them to secure loans. Additionally, the initiative linked CBFOs with input suppliers for affordable farm input loans through contract farming and connected them to output markets like Homes Industries for competitive produce sales.

AFAP’s SAM project provides comprehensive training covering essential areas such as Household Methodology and Gender Transformative Approaches, Business and Entrepreneurship Management, Environmental and Social Risk Management, Nutrition and WASH, Village Savings and Loans methodology, and Good Governance. This equips communities with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in agriculture.

As AFAP continues its work across Malawi and beyond, the SAM project serves as a model for driving agricultural transformation. Through partnerships, innovative approaches, and community empowerment, AFAP remains dedicated to building a sustainable agricultural sector across countries in Africa.