Over 844 savings and loan groups, along with cooperatives under COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited, have begun receiving farm input support matching grants to purchase seeds, fertilizer, and other agricultural inputs.
COMSIP has allocated K2.6 billion to this initiative, which is being implemented under the Legumes Enterprise Structured Programme (LESP).
One beneficiary, Lawrence Banda, from the Chisomo Savings and Loans Group in Traditional Authority Wimbe, Kasungu, praised the project for addressing hunger and improving the economic status of farmers.
“With the LESP programme, we have accessed two bags of fertilizer, which we used to produce at least 10 bags of Mbeya fertilizer. This guarantees us a bumper harvest, eradicating hunger and improving household income,” said Banda.
Another beneficiary, Geremina Chiwaula, a member of the Mbalame Cluster in Senior Chief Dzoole’s area in Dowa, said she is well-prepared for the 2024/25 farming season, having acquired 15 kilograms of maize seed and the required amounts of fertilizer for her 2-acre plot.
COMSIP District Coordinator for Dowa, Rabecca Munthali, highlighted the transformative impact of the programme since its inception in 2022. “The programme has changed lives, enabling members to construct houses, purchase livestock, pay school fees, improve household incomes, invest in businesses and assets, and achieve food security,” Munthali said.
LESP Coordinator at COMSIP, Febron Mwiba, explained that the programme has reached 27,321 households from 844 savings and loan groups. Participants contribute 30% of the input costs and are already engaged in farming activities.
“We are providing participants with funds to purchase farm inputs, including fungicides, pesticides, masks, sprayers, fertilizers, and high-quality seed varieties. Additionally, we encourage climate-smart agricultural practices such as producing and applying Mbeya manure to improve soil fertility and moisture,” Mwiba said.
COMSIP Cooperative Union Limited will serve as the primary offtaker of produce under the LESP and will identify additional markets to ensure participants receive fair prices for their labour.
The LESP programme targets beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer and Public Works Programmes under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP), a Government of Malawi initiative funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund. COMSIP implements the livelihoods support sub-component of this project.
Fifteen districts—Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Nkhata Bay, Mzimba, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Dowa, Lilongwe, Dedza, Balaka, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, and Phalombe—are targeted for the project.
Meanwhile, districts in the southern region have already procured farm inputs, while most districts in the central region are in the process of purchasing theirs. The northern region is set to follow soon.
