Banner-Crop livestock in Malawi

Crop Livestock diversification and integration in Malawi

by with No Comment 2023

CLIM2 Project (FIDPII)
Improving farmers’ access to resources, technologies, information and markets by characterising and strengthening crop and livestock value chains in Southern Malawi

Farm income growth and nutrition improvement through farm diversification by stimulating agrifood value chains Kuroiler chicken breed released, more eggs, meat and manure available, at reduced feed costs Goat auction sales and local butcheries enhance quality meat supply Micro-dairy processing reduces milk wastage and provides precious protein locally

Food and feed processing and rations reduce livestock production costs

Lessons
Work with the entire agri-food system and actors, building capacity, interaction and collaboration through farmers and SMEs – work beyond the farm level The process of intervening in multiple value chains creates multiplier effects – capacity, innovation, benefits for more farmers than single interventions directly supporting farmers.

Cross-scale policy dialogue to support farm and value chain integration – address gaps and opportunities in the process, sustainability of the action Crop Livestock diversification and integration in Malawi

Poster Crop livestock and IPs

Transitions to sustainable agri-food systems:A multi-stakeholder multi-scale approach in Malawi

by with No Comment 2023

Aims
The CLIM2 project was implemented in Southern Malawi. People live off less than 1 ha farms, low productivity and market offtake, and off-farm income opportunities too are limited. The linkages to income, and how diversified crop livestock systems and functional value chains can impact on-farm productivity, food security and nutrition, were not well understood.

To address such complex challenges the CLIM2 project adopted a food systems perspective and engaged stakeholders at local and national levels, with a focus on building human capacity, and facilitating interactions and collaborations, through value chains and with strong participation of women and youth.

Innovation Platforms for diagnostics, co-creation, action and feedback National policy dialogue, for buy-in, direction and support, and influence

Challenges that emerged during implementation included
1. Human capacity
Lack of common understanding, leading to lack of confidence, insufficient communication and coordination, and therefore ineffective implementation of potential solutions.

2. Infrastructure and ownership
Decisions were often dominated by influential actors, MSME perspectives needed to be considered, and supported by conflict mediation, to kick-start the economic activities.

3. Innovation brokering
Issues of capacity, representation and power needed facilitation, business coaching and working with actors at local and national levels to influence these
dynamics.

Collaborative processes that identified and implemented solutions
MSMEs as drivers of change, testing inclusive business models Linkages and feedback, stimulated by project interventions On-farm experiments, demonstrations and trainings

Lessons learned that can help stakeholders in Malawi to advance agri-businesses

  • Improved knowledge of the system and agri-business linkages and improved collaboration with District level structures created trust, dedication and enthusiasm, lessons taken up by District Reform areas
  • Linkages to national policy dialogue ensured regular interest by high level government, to advise project design and implementation, lessons informed the New National Livestock Development Policy
  • Continuous capacity development of local actors and coordination among line Ministries and with stakeholders remains most crucial for meaningful impact and up-scaling business models.