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PRASL Project Launched in Mozambique to Promote Regenerative Agriculture and Empower 4,000 Farmers

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PRASL Project Launched in Mozambique to Promote Regenerative Agriculture and Empower 4,000 Farmers

By Staff Reporter

Boane District, (Mozambique)— Solidaridad, in partnership with Kvuno, Hiveonline, HEINEKEN Mozambique, and the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, has officially launched the Promoting Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Livelihoods (PRASL) project. The launch, which took place earlier this quarter in the Boane District, marks a new era for smallholder farming communities in the region.

“In close partnership with HEINEKEN Mozambique and Solidaridad, we embark on a journey to transform the lives of 4,000 smallholder farmers in the Boane District over the next three years. Through this collaboration, we aim to indirectly reach and positively impact 20,000 individuals, creating a ripple effect of prosperity and resilience,” said Edwin Moerkerk, General Manager, the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation.

According to Moerkerk, the crux of their mission is to support Africa’s smallholder farmer communities in building their resilience, and helping them to adapt to challenges while improving their livelihoods.This commitment is accompanied by a 1.5 million euros investment (about 1.7 million USD) from HEINEKEN Africa Foundation throughout the 3-year initiative.


Empowering Farmers with Regenerative Practices and Data Innovation
“The future of smallholder farmers in Mozambique depends on our collective decisions here today. Our presence here today is a testament to the realization that smallholder farmers matter and that together we can co-create sustainable solutions. PRASL helps farmers to do what they do best – feed the nation. We are fully committed to empowering farmers with trainings on regenerative agricultural practices to improve soil health and give farmers an opportunity to earn extra income,” says Francisco Nhanale, Solidaridad Country Manager (Mozambique).

It is against this backdrop that Nhanale emphasized the benefits of regenerative farming. PRASL participant farmers such as Delfa Nhobomba and Anna Langa, both members of the 15-member Empowered Girls Association, shared similar sentiments.

“I am part of 15 young ladies who work in the shed nets while we raise money to buy our own land. Access to land is a huge challenge for female smallholder farmers in Mozambique. That, along with the investments to build structures such as the shed nets you see here, where we plant tomatoes, cucumbers and more on this land that belongs to the association. Organizations such as Solidaridad, with the support of their partners are gamechangers. They teach us how to harvest more on the lands that we are tilling. Even though this project is fairly new, we are already seeing the impact and so are our families who are also benefiting from our empowerment,” says Nhobomba.



Langa echoed the sentiments by describing how the regenerative agricultural practices are of interest to young smallholder farmers in their group. Farmer after farmer stated how their activities were recorded and data captured by Kvuno who worked on the ground with the farmers. Data is uploaded at different stages in the process using Kvuno Farmer IDs to map fields and enable farmers to take data-driven interventions.

“Through Kvuno’s data-driven interactions, we are contributing to bring wealth to the farmers. By accessing the data, they can know what the market price is and thereby negotiate for fair wages. They can also make informed and up-to-date weather predictions which can help them know when to plant and reap. We are all up for collaborative efforts that can improve the quality standards, improve production and impact the lives of our smallholder farmers in Boane District, Mozambique and beyond,” elaborates Igor Espanol, Kvuno’s Regional Manager for Mozambique.



A New Beginning: Collective Action for Sustainable Futures
Shungu Kanyemba, Former Managing Director of Solidaridad Southern Africa, who was present and part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside key partners, offered a powerful reflection:

“This launch feels very much like the birth of a child — a moment filled with promise and responsibility. Just like raising a child, growing this work will require nurturing, commitment, and the participation of an entire community.  PRASL project embodies Solidaridad’s pulse, which sees smallholder farmers not only as recipients of aid, but as active agents of sustainable development. If we walk together in solidarity, we can raise this initiative to maturity, where it thrives and transforms the future of farming across Mozambique and beyond.”

Trade Minister hails NBM plc on promoting SMEs

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Trade Minister hails NBM plc on promoting SMEs



By Benjamin Maona

Malawi’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba has commended National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc over its commitment towards supporting the growth of Small and Medium Entreprises (SMEs) in the country.

Mumba made the remarks after making a surprise visit at Gateway Mall in Lilongwe, where NBM plc organised an SME Day exhibition involving over 50 SMEs from across the country on Saturday.

He described the gesture as a catalyst for economic transformation as the world was commemorating the Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Day.

“Commercial banks have a vital role to play in advancing national economic development by directly supporting the SME sector, which is Malawi’s economic future. When I read in the papers that NBM plc has set aside K60 billion to support the SMEs in the country, I personally called the CEO to thank him because this is the kind of support we need,” he said.

Mumba



NBM’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa said the Bank organized the MSME Day event to provide a platform to the SMEs to network, showcase their products, and explore new market opportunities.

She said the event was part of a broader month-long celebration by the Bank in recognition of MSMEs and their role in national development, in line with the AU Agenda 2063.

“In May this year, we also supported about 30 SMEs to participate at the Trade Fair where they also showcased their products,” she said.

Mark Chiweza Banda from Apoche Farms which rears fish, also commended NBM plc for the gesture.

“We produce a lot products, but we don’t have a platform to reach out to potential buyers, but such events provide us that needed platform. We thank NBM plc,” he said.

Apart from the exhibition, the event has other activities for children, while top artists like Teddy Makadi and Mazani entertained fans with their music performances.

Chihana urges Malawians to elect peace leaders

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Chihana urges Malawians to elect peace leaders

By Chisomo Phiri

The Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President,Enock Chihana, has warned that if people are not careful, the country will be led by leaders who promote violence and conflict.

Speaking to party supporters at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre (GBCC) in Blantyre on Sunday,Chihana said the recent violence and unrest should serve as a warning to Malawians.

He urged Malawians to elect leaders who will promote peace and stability in the country in the upcoming September 16 general elections.

Chihana


Chihana further urged Malawians to elect him as the country’s next president  to advance the country’s development.

“AFORD promotes democratic governance and does not support violent politics. I, Enock Chihana, am ready to serve the Malawian people,” he said.

The AFORD leader also urged other candidates to work together to combat the trend of violence and protect Malawians from such behavior.

AFORD came in the political limelight in 1993 and its founder the late Chakufwa Chihana is known as one of the key fighters for multiparty democracy in Malawi.

In the june 23,2020 court-orderd presidential election, the party was part of the Tonse Alliance , which had in tow the Malawi Congress Party (MCP ) United Transformation Movement (UTM ), People’s Party (PP ), Umodzi Party (UP ), Malawi Forum for  Unity and Development (MFUD),Freedom Party (FP), among others.

The parties’ torchbearer was Lazarus Chakwera ,with former vice-president Saulos Chilima (now deceased ) as running mate.

Unlicensed motorbikes in Lilongwe: A ticking time bomb on two wheels

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Unlicensed motorbikes in Lilongwe: A ticking time bomb on two wheels

By Burnett Munthali

The capital city of Lilongwe is grappling with a growing threat on its roads—an overwhelming presence of unregistered and unlicensed motorbikes.

These motorbikes, commonly known as “Kabaza,” have become a popular means of transport, especially in high-density areas and places where minibuses cannot easily access.

However, their benefits are increasingly overshadowed by the dangers they pose to road users, including pedestrians, passengers, and the riders themselves.



One of the biggest concerns is that many of these motorbikes are operated by individuals who have never undergone formal riding training or acquired a valid driver’s license.

Without basic knowledge of traffic laws and safety protocols, these riders often engage in reckless and dangerous behavior such as speeding, overtaking in blind spots, and riding on pedestrian walkways.

The absence of registration plates on many of these bikes makes it almost impossible for authorities to trace them in the event of an accident or criminal activity.

This anonymity has created a fertile ground for hit-and-run incidents and has even been exploited for snatch-and-run crimes, especially in market areas and bus depots.

Moreover, the lack of insurance on unregistered motorbikes means that victims of accidents are left without any compensation or legal remedy in the event of injury or death.

Hospitals in Lilongwe have recorded a steady rise in accident cases involving motorbikes, with many victims being left permanently disabled or financially burdened by medical bills.

The chaotic integration of unregulated motorbike taxis into the city’s transport system is also causing unnecessary congestion, especially during peak hours.

The danger extends beyond the riders and passengers; even private motorists and cyclists are at risk due to the unpredictable movements and disregard for road rules by unlicensed operators.

This situation is made worse by the limited enforcement of traffic laws and the inability of traffic police to keep pace with the rapid increase of these bikes.

To address this challenge, the government needs to implement a nationwide crackdown on unregistered and unlicensed motorbikes operating in urban centers like Lilongwe.

All commercial motorbike operators should be required to undergo mandatory training and obtain a valid rider’s license before being allowed on the roads.

Strict penalties must be enforced for those who ride without registration, insurance, or a license, including confiscation of the bike and fines.

Local councils should establish formal motorbike taxi associations to regulate the behavior and operations of riders, including route planning and fare structures.

There should also be a digital database that links each registered motorbike to its owner, license, and insurance details for easy monitoring and accountability.

The Road Traffic Directorate should work with the Malawi Police Service to conduct regular inspection and registration campaigns, especially in urban hotspots where motorbike taxis are heavily used.

Additionally, public awareness campaigns must be rolled out to educate both riders and the general public on road safety and the dangers of using illegal transport services.

The safety of Lilongwe’s roads depends on proactive action, consistent enforcement, and community involvement in addressing this alarming rise in unregulated motorbike use.

Ignoring this growing threat could turn the city’s roads into zones of chaos, injury, and irreversible tragedy.

President Chakwera returns home sfter key meetings in Nigeria

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President Chakwera returns home sfter key meetings in Nigeria

By Rahim Abdul

President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has returned to Malawi after participating in the 32nd African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM Bank) annual meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting, which took place from June 25th to 27th, brought together African and Caribbean Heads of State and Government, ministers, central bank governors, and leaders from the private sector to discuss ways to accelerate intra-African trade and promote economic transformation.



During the high-level meetings, President Chakwera participated in the Presidential Plenary Session, where he engaged with fellow leaders on regional trade and investment.

He also took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with prominent individuals, including the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

One of the key focuses of President Chakwera’s meetings was to promote investment opportunities in Malawi’s priority sectors, including agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure, and tourism.

He met with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Founder and President of Dangote Group, to explore potential investment opportunities in these sectors.

The AFREXIM Bank annual meeting provided a platform for President Chakwera to engage with key stakeholders and thought leaders from across Africa and the Caribbean.

The event was convened under the theme “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience,” and offered valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Upon his return to Malawi, President Chakwera was warmly welcomed by Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials.

The Ministers, including Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, and Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwira, among others, expressed their appreciation for the President’s efforts to promote Malawi’s interests abroad.

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