Women and Youth Take Charge of Dairy Farming with CREMPA's New Project
This initiative, which runs from March 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027, is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty reduction, zero hunger, and gender equality.
Dowa and Ntchisi, Malawi - The Central Region Milk Producers Association (CREMPA) is embarking on a 5-year project aimed at economically empowering women and youth in the dairy farming sector, writes Vincent Gunde.
This initiative, which runs from March 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027, is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty reduction, zero hunger, and gender equality.
The project specifically targets Dowa and Ntchisi districts in Malawi and is in accordance with the National Livestock Development Policy (2021–2026) of the Government of Malawi.
The policy recognises the importance of empowering women and youth and their inclusion in livestock development as key policy areas.
This project is expected to benefit 1,740 farmers, with a direct impact on 870 dairy farmers and an indirect influence on 9,260 farmers who are predominantly women and youth.
The beneficiaries include members of the Mponela, Phwadzi, Malobvu, and Gondoli Milk Bulking Groups in Dowa.
Andrew Chimalizeni, the Manager of CREMPA, emphasised that the increasing population and urbanisation in Malawi have led to a rising demand for milk produced by smallholder dairy farmers.
He explained that the project aims to address the economic underrepresentation and financial exclusion of women and youth in dairy development programmes, as they play a vital role in the sector.
Chimalizeni further pointed out that women and youth possess great potential for contributing significantly to the economy through dairy agribusiness.
Given that Malawi's population is predominantly youthful, there is a wealth of energy, industriousness, and willingness to embrace innovation.
However, he noted that women and youth often lack the skills necessary for enhancing accountability and transparency in managing primary dairy associations.
Additionally, they face limited access to extension services, which are essential for their active participation in dairy development.
The overall objective of the project is to increase the access of youth and women to economic and fiscal resources, ultimately fostering gender equality and empowering them for equitable and sustainable economic growth and development.
Chimalizeni stated, "Women and youth are not economically and financially independent, which increases their dependence on men for basic subsistence."
CREMPA, an umbrella organisation representing dairy farmers with a membership of 11,000 organised into 63 Milk Bulking Groups (MBGs) across all nine districts of the central region, is spearheading this project.
Funding for the 5-year initiative for Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion of Women and Youth in Dairy Agribusiness is provided by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and We Effect, amounting to MK417,329,777.00 as of the exchange rate on February 7, 2023.