National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) has reported a staggering 250% increase in youth participation in commercial farming this year in Mchinji district.
As the country gears up for the next agricultural season, the youthful farmers anticipate a more productive year.
During a field visit in the district, NASFAM’s Association Business Manager for Mchinji District, Catherine Salanaye, said 5,500 farmers have already registered for this season’s initiatives, with 35% of them being the youth compared to only 10% youth farmers registered last year. Salanaye says young people are now viewing agriculture as a serious business opportunity.
Chifundo Aliberito, a youth farmer from Kankhoma Village, Senior Chief Mduwa, said through NASFAM’s support, youthful farmers have been able to leverage village banking, tobacco, soya farming, bee keeping and animal husbandry to improve their livelihoods.
Aliberito has since been using his earnings to build houses, purchase hectares of land and livestock farming. He says his success has motivated other youths to do the same.
By Yamikani Makanga