Farmers packs containing essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and basic tools are distributed to subsistence farmers in rural areas to help them achieve enough food for their families. Many subsistence farmers only grow one crop a year. Therefore, we encourage winter cropping by providing seeds so that these farmers and their families do not rely on handouts especially during lean times.

This was distributed during the period December 2005 to 2008 in the following areas: Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Zomba, Phalombe, Mangochi and Nkhatabay.

“We were approached by the District Commissioners of these areas, which were experiencing food shortages due to the lack of sufficient farm inputs. We then worked with various Members of Parliament, Ministers and Traditional Chiefs to achieve the rollout of the farm inputs,” said Country Manager, Ahmed Sunka.

“Harvest improved drastically and subsistence farmer families were able to achieve food security for the year. We had challenges: some of the maize fields didn’t do well due to a dry spell and that lessened the impact of the project. In all, 90% of the families assisted through this programme had sufficient crop (maize – Malawi’s staple food) to use the whole year.”

Beneficiaries:

• 2005: 1,500 farmers
• 2006: 1,000 farmers
• 2007: 1,000 farmers
• 2008: 1,000 farmers