By Burnett Munthali
The National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (Nasfam) has equipped 30 women and young farmers with advocacy skills to strengthen their ability to influence policies and engage authorities on challenges affecting their agricultural businesses.
According to local media reports, Nasfam Head of Policy and Communication Rejoice Chikakuda announced the initiative during the opening of the training in Lilongwe, explaining that the association had identified weaknesses in farmers’ ability to advocate for their interests.
Chikakuda said the programme seeks to give farmers the confidence and practical skills needed to raise concerns with policymakers and other responsible authorities.
She explained that although Nasfam provides farmers with essential support and agricultural extension services, there was a need to strengthen their capacity to participate in policy discussions.
Chikakuda identified access to agricultural land, affordable farm inputs and reliable markets as some of the critical issues that farmers should be able to raise through organised advocacy.
She said meaningful farmer empowerment should extend beyond providing agricultural resources to ensuring that producers have a voice in decisions affecting their livelihoods.
Chairperson of Nasfam members under the Lilongwe Innovation and Production Centre, Chikaiko Mpungalumwe, said the training would help participants understand their rights and communicate their concerns effectively.
Mpungalumwe said improved advocacy knowledge would enable farmers to approach relevant institutions with greater confidence when seeking solutions to challenges affecting their enterprises.
The farmer advocacy programme is being funded by the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the participation of women and young farmers in agricultural policy discussions and improve their engagement with institutions responsible for shaping the sector.
