Page 79 - AFAP Success Stories 2020

shops. Farmers are given advice on areas to do with any to spread the good agriculture practices (GAP) messages
issues affecting their farming in addition to post-harvest to farmers. Through this approach we have been able to
handling of chemicals and safe use of agri- chemicals. reaching out to an audience of 255 farmers.
These farmers are highly encouraged to pass on the
pieces of advices they have acquired from us on to their In conclusion, the COVID -19 total impacts on the business
fellow farmers in their respective areas. With this approach are difficult to tell right now as the situation is still fluid
we believe we are still making an impact to the farmers on and evolving every day. Farmers are trying to adjust to
the intended messages which are reaching to the other the reality of the pandemic. Experts are predicting more
targeted farmers indirectly. difficult times ahead; however, AD remains committed
to helping the farmers and the communities. We are
aware that the uncertainty is overwhelming but are still
Community Agribusiness Advisors committed to providing helpful information to all our
(CAA) Approach valued farmers within the limits of the COVID -19 social
distancing guidelines as set up by the Government of
AD has close ties with (CAAs) and through our meetings
we have been teaching the CAAs various topics including Malawi.
post- harvest and safe use of chemicals. The approach
requires each CAA to reach out 5 Lead Farmers (LF)
who in turn are expected to the reach out to 20 Farmer
Followers (FF) giving us a total of 105 farmers reached per
CAA. Since AD has 40 CAAs, it means that the company
will be reaching out to about 4200 farmers through CAA
approach and 1800 through other approaches.

Village Savings Groups

As one way of helping farmers to prepare for the next
growing season, AD with the help of Government
Extension Officers established village savings farmer
clubs in some of its operational areas. These farmer
savings clubs are aimed at saving money with the goal of
purchasing agri-inputs (i.e. fertilizer and seed) from any of
the AD shops. The inputs once paid for by the farmers will
be delivered at their nearest cluster points in their villages
for easy picking from delivery trucks to their homes.

These farmers’ clubs are also acting as platforms for AD

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