NCA/DCA & Norwegian University Partner to Transform Malawi Farming Practices
Key program components include livestock pass-on projects, irrigation infrastructure, and agricultural resilience training.
RUMPHI, Malawi — A $32 million five-year Norwegian-funded agricultural initiative poised to improve smallholder farmers' livelihoods through sustainable development strategies significantly, writes Tionge Hara.
The TRANSFORM program, backed by NOK210,000,000 (approximately $32 million), represents a collaborative effort between Norwegian Church Aid, DanChurchAid, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
Bisani Precious Chipeta, Agriculture Extension and Development Coordinator for Ntchenachena EPA, emphasised the program's significance.
"We are directly supporting farmers' capacity to improve their agricultural productivity and resilience," Chipeta said.
Farmers in Zunda Village, located in TA Mwalweni, are already experiencing tangible benefits.
The initiative introduces innovative farming techniques, including livestock distribution and advanced irrigation systems enabling three annual crop cycles.
Medson Zunda, 76, highlighted the program's impact.
"The goats give me manure that I use for my vegetables, and when I sell, my family sources income and food," he said.
The program focuses on sustainable agricultural transformation, aiming to enhance rural farmers' income, food security, and nutritional outcomes.
Participant Annie Phiri praised the irrigation system, noting impressive farm field results.
Key program components include livestock pass-on projects, irrigation infrastructure, and agricultural resilience training.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy provides financial support for the comprehensive five-year intervention.
Zunda exemplifies the community-driven approach, having already passed four goats to another local family, demonstrating the initiative's potential for broader economic development.