Inclusive business models to strengthen the rural population in Malawi

Malawi's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, although only a small amount of added value is generated in the country. Rural workers often operate as smallholders or run MSMEs. They must be able to rely on intermediaries and have only limited access to the market and adequate market information. In the project "Kulima - More Income and Employment in Rural Areas (MIERA)" GFA supports the work of GIZ in the following value chains: rice, macadamia, chilli, peppers and sunflowers. Our activities focus in particular on promoting integrative business models (IBMs) and building capacity for smallholder farmers and farmer organisations.

IBMs are designed to strengthen the position of smallholders and farmers in the value chain and help them secure market access. GFA has organised and conducted workshops with two large private companies in the rice value chain to discuss such opportunities. Discussions are also underway in other value chains. The GFA also supports the implementation of GIZ's Farmer Business School ® trainings. Nearly 30 trainers are currently on site to sensitize farmers to production methods, marketing and membership of farmer organization, among other things. The project is expected to run until December 2018.