Page 72 - AFAP Success Stories 2020

AgriSMEs in Malawi in the Context of

COVID-19: Impacts and Interventions

The Government of Malawi recognizes the need to enhance the productivity of smallholder farmers
as a means for achieving agricultural growth and poverty alleviation, this actualizing the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs have targeted agriculture as a driver of socio-economic
development and recognize that food security is a pre-requisite for economic growth and poverty
alleviation. Indeed, the sector contributes 38% of the GDP, and provides a livelihood for 85% of the
population (MoAIWD, 2012). The agriculture sector in Malawi is customarily divided into two main
sub-sectors, namely: the smallholder and the estate sub-sector.

Smallholder farmers comprise of an estimated 2 million on improved agricultural inputs, technologies, best
farming families and cultivate about 4.5 million hectares agronomic practices and produce markets.
of land. However, smallholder farmers in Malawi continue
to face constraints with respect to access to improved The COVID-19 pandemic has become the defining global
agricultural inputs, technology, information, financing health crisis that has also greatly affected African livelihoods
and markets. The priority in this regard, is therefore, to more so the in the agricultural inputs delivery, production
improve agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers, systems, food security and agricultural livelihoods. Malawi
who are currently on the periphery of the economy, to has not been spared, in March 2020, the government
actively participate in the economic activities in Malawi. of Malawi declared a state of disaster and later declared
To improve smallholder farmers productivity, the role as a formidable disease. Various activities in the country
of the private sector, more so of the AgriSMEs along have slowed down, causing a set back on the economic
the Agricultural input and ouput/produce value chain and social development of the country. The lockdowns
cannot be ignored or denied. The AgriSMEs are the major imposed by various countries has affected Malawi greatly,
link along the Agricultural input and output/produce in that not only is it a landlocked country, it depends on
value chain between suppliers, markets and smallholder imports of agricultural products and raw material that are
farmers. The AgriSMEs also serve as providers of basic used in the country. This has led to; agricultural inputs and
agricultural extension services to farmers, creating a very its raw materials shortage, creating deliberate shortage by
useful and accessible resource for knowledge and advice “hiding” products, increase in product and transport prices,

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