Young Entrepreneur Thrives in Agribusiness with Support from AIYAP
Temwa has big plans for her business, with dreams of expanding into a large factory that will create job opportunities for the youth in her area.
Nkhata Bay, Malawi - Temwa Disi, a 31-year-old entrepreneur hailing from Group Village Head Mudidyedye, Senior Chief Fukamapiri in Nkhata Bay District, is celebrating her journey of success in agribusiness, writes Rabecca Kaunda.
It has been five years since Temwa ventured into the field, turning her lifelong passion for agriculture into a thriving business.
With the assistance of the Agricultural Infrastructure and Youth in Agribusiness Project (AIYAP), Temwa and 383 other agripreneurs underwent a comprehensive nine-month capacity-building training at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in 2019.
The training covered essential business skills, communication, negotiation, pricing, and entrepreneurship.
Temwa, fueled by her newfound knowledge, decided not to be unemployed but instead became an employer, offering opportunities to three other young people on her farm.
"The path to this journey was thorny, but I persevered. Look at me today; I can comfortably say I am successful," said Temwa, radiating excitement.
Temwa established her enterprise, Temwanani Agrifood Enterprise, which she registered with the Malawi Government under the Registrar General as a sole partnership in 2019.
Her business focuses on adding value to agricultural products such as rice, beans, and honey, recognizing a significant opportunity in value addition to farm produce.
Products from Temwanani Enterprise have received pre-certification from the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and are available in various supermarkets in Zomba, Lilongwe, and Blantyre.
"If I can secure funding from organizations, companies, and grants, my vision is to employ more than 16 permanent staff," Temwa explained.
She also emphasized that many youths struggle to achieve their life goals due to a lack of appreciation for the potential in agribusiness; instead, they seek high-paying jobs.
Mayina Banda, 24, a staff member at Temwanani Agrifood Enterprise, attested that working there has transformed her life as she can now support her household with her salary.
Dayton Siyeni, Cooperatives and Agribusiness Specialist for AIYAP, praised Temwa's passion and success in agribusiness.
He explained that AIYAP aims to contribute to national efforts concerning food security, increased income levels, poverty reduction, and the enhancement of youth participation in agribusiness, agro-processing, value addition, crop diversification, and market linkages.
The project targets farmers and youth with a business-oriented mindset, empowering them through training, exposure, and connections to the private sector, which, in turn, provides information on product demand.
Siyeni elaborated on their primary objective to improve crop production and productivity, leading to higher farm incomes and more opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness for rural youth.
They also aim to enhance import substitution through improved value addition and processing.
"The project has made notable progress in building capacity for youth through exposure visits to various schemes at Lufuwu, Phata, Wovwe, Har, and Bua, among others," he said.
The AIYAP project has already reached 5,000 targeted beneficiaries in the district. Implemented in Nkhata Bay and Nkhotakota, the project is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Siyeni highlighted the need for capacity building among youth, especially those with Malawi School Certificate Education (MSCE), stating that they require more entrepreneurial information on which to base their business ideas through value addition.
He made an appeal to microfinance institutions to remove collateral requirements when youths seek loans to support their agribusiness ventures.
Temwa has big plans for her business, with dreams of expanding into a large factory that will create job opportunities for the youth in her area, particularly in Kande trading centre where she operates.